The development of a military doctrine for an entire state occupying, though not the largest, but still a place in the galaxy is not as simple as it seems at first glance.
Especially considering that the development is handled by only two people—me and Vice Admiral Pellaeon.
But I cannot entrust the strategy for the further development of the state to anyone but myself.
Even if I had dozens of the most experienced Grand Moffs, it would not change the situation in any way.
Even despite the fact that at the meeting with commanders of large ships and formations I revealed much, but not all.
Far from all.
Trust is earned, and living with an open soul, sharing every first secret—that is not about me.
Especially considering the fact that due to my true nature, problems can arise even from where they are not expected.
Not many people are privy to the fact that besides the obvious threats from the Emperor and his host from the Deep Core, the Imperial Remnants, the New Republic, the Alliance, there are other threats.
But hiding the existence of the Yuuzhan Vong further is meaningless and frankly foolish.
When behind you are millions of military and hundreds of billions of civilians who have voluntarily renounced faith in the Imperial values of the New Order and understand that from now on we have no allies even among the Imperials, it is immoral to hide from them the threat hanging over all of us.
Yes, implicitly, not in direct text, but it has been conveyed to the civilians that in the galaxy we have no "friends" beyond our borders.
There are only "partners," and that is already a different level of interaction.
The same Grand Moff Kaine and the Pentastar Alignment he leads fulfilled all our agreements, and now he acts openly solely in his own interests.
Perhaps in the future, when the figure of Palpatine is (if it does happen) removed from the political board and it is time to come out of the shadows, we can act jointly.
Yes, if the Pentastar Alignment threatens us on Palpatine's orders, of course I will not stand aside and will do everything possible to deflect Kaine's blow.
But it must be understood that predators have been released into the arena.
And their prey is not only the New Republic and the newly formed Alliance, but also other predators rated as weak.
The general principles of the Dominion's Military Doctrine can be described briefly—we act from defense, but switch to a crushing offensive at the very hour when we understand that someone or something threatens the integrity of the state or the lives of its population.
For us, there are no restrictions on the weapons used—even "non-conventional" nuclear warheads, which sides do not use due to long-standing agreements and deterrent consequences, will be used by us if it corresponds to the proportionality of the threat.
Although, it must be admitted, the "voluntary ban" on the use of nuclear weapons by warring parties is nothing more than fiction.
Experience shows that any international agreements can be violated, any weapon used, if any side of the conflict desires it, just to achieve the long-awaited victory.
It is doubly strange to hear about "non-conventional weapons" in a galaxy where planets can be blown up by battle stations, and a solar ionization reactor can be dropped on the surface of an inhabited world, orbital bombardment turning the soil into slag can be conducted…
A thin and absolutely hypocritical game of "good guys."
Well, we have not yet reached nuclear weapons, because we can cope with opponents from this galaxy without radiation contamination.
And besides, one would have to be a bit out of one's mind to destroy worlds you are fighting for, or plunge them into the cold of nuclear winter.
And it does not matter if it is part of your own state occupied by the enemy, or a planet you intend to conquer.
I already gave my vow in my time—nuclear weapons and comparable ones that scorch inhabited worlds will become no more than the last resort in the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong.
If I treat the population of this galaxy somewhat loyally, they are sort of "ours," then the invaders from beyond the known worlds are "aliens."
And in the fight for "ours," "aliens" are not spared.
But this is no more than a side remark.
Considering the fact that the Dominion's metropolis turned out to be on the presumed vector of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, it cannot be discounted that there is a risk of loss of part of the territory.
And that means military production will also be either damaged or destroyed.
That is why the regular fleet of the Dominion first of all pays attention to sectors and systems whose accession will play a significant role in improving our position.
More resources automatically equals a greater number of ships, military equipment, gear, and weapons.
Dispersal of productions, or rather—creation of their duplicating capacities in various parts of the galaxy—is insurance for the case if we fail to hold the basis of the military-industrial complex in the metropolis.
That is why I need to occupy territories favorable to the Dominion in advance.
Time is needed to build production on them—military and civilian, and also to take care of defense.
Unfortunately, we are not the Empire, and therefore cannot fully finance multiple projects at once.
Considering that until the Yuuzhan Vong invasion there is still plenty of time to strengthen the borders (not forgetting that their scouts have been here for quite some time) and prepare properly, the strategic confrontation with extragalactic invaders yields to the tactical one.
And the main funding continues to pour into the expansion of the military-industrial complex directly in the metropolis and the Karthakk system.
The latter is our foothold for covert operations "under a false flag" and production of "unlicensed" copies of items for which I have no and had no licenses.
Moreover, the Karthakk system must over time become the point from which the conquest of the eastern sectors of the Outer Rim of the galaxy will begin. But these are already plans for the time when the Palpatine threat is eliminated.
At the moment, about a tenth of the funds allocated from the budget for stabilization and "acceleration" of our military-industrial complex are invested in the development of productions in the Karthakk system.
It so happened that in Karthakk are concentrated productions that at the moment do not yet exist in the Dominion metropolis, for example, production of Xg-1 Star Wing gunboats, engines for Star Destroyers, turbolasers, beam-type laser cannons, planetary ion cannons and planetary turbolasers, planetary shield generators, Lambda-class shuttles, Scimitar assault bombers, and another good dozen items.
And, conversely, in the Dominion, production of laser cannons on "MandalMotors" technologies used as anti-aircraft guns is in full swing, factories for producing armored vehicles, army weapons and ammunition, TIE series fighters in service with the Dominion Armed Forces are deployed, and more and more factories are being built.
Thanks to the disarmament of Ennix Devian's inhabited sphere, we received many industrial conveyors, which allows us to produce almost all necessary equipment for building and repairing starships.
Exceptions are the same Kuat hyperdrives and navigation equipment, gravity well generators, and Lianna solar ionization generators.
But the latter positions we at least acquired in the form of informational blueprints, and factories are being built.
In the metropolis.
In Karthakk they will be erected only after we firmly put our military-industrial complex on its feet in the galactic north sectors.
If the same technologies and productions stolen from Lianna, as well as openly captured in battles, like the operation against Belsavis, I placed in the Dominion metropolis, then production of the same defensive stations like "Golan" or Kuat hyperdrives—that is something else entirely.
For such "outrages," "Golan Arms" and "Kuat Drive Yards" can easily organize a crusade against me.
In the market economy reigning in the galaxy, direct competitors are not particularly liked.
Especially those who produce your own technology without regard for licensing fees to the author.
Considering that the Karthakk system is reliably protected and it is impossible to enter it bypassing the defense perimeter, investing in it to create duplicating productions similar to those in the galactic north in the Dominion metropolis is irrational.
And something tells me that it is time to plan an operation to capture the Karthakk sector itself.
Because within one system with a small number of planets, it is simply physically impossible to place everything necessary.
Part of the rank-and-file productions, for example electronics, terminals, control panels, and much else, can be moved beyond the system and placed in the worlds of the Karthakk sector.
Fortunately, this territorial formation, not too close to major hyperspace routes, is a "pirate free-for-all" in the galaxy, and the interest of the New Republic, whose borders are quite close, is minimal here.
And therefore no one will cry if criminals are burned out here with hot durasteel.
If intelligence is not mistaken, the population of the sector's planets will in many ways be grateful for such.
Though they will not greet a pro-Imperial government with great love.
Of course, a lot of work lies ahead, but it is not the current priority.
Strengthening the borders and economy of the metropolis always remains paramount in my plans.
Not forgetting at the same time about such systems as Yalara, Cholganna, Karthakk, Soullex, Svivren, Horron, and a number of others where rich deposits and remote location allow laying reserves and "padding the straw."
Like Karthakk in the east, Yalara and Svivren in the south—these are footholds for Dominion expansion.
No matter what the military actions against enemies are, creating duplicating productions and expanding borders provides for full autonomy of Dominion parts.
In other words, full cycles of all necessary productions required for the existence of this part of the Dominion even in isolation from the metropolis and other territories.
Why exactly so?
Why do I intend over time to abandon further transportation of necessary military-industrial complex products between Dominion territories?
Everything is simple.
The war on enemy communications in my execution demonstrated to the galaxy all the "charm" of dispersed productions.
As soon as a caravan with transports, even escorted, leaves the protected borders—it is vulnerable to the enemy. Whoever it may be—a pirate or a military of the opposing state.
To ensure the security of such transports, hundreds of regular Dominion fleet combat ships are already involved.
And this is colossal expenses and some wear on the material part of the starships.
It is much simpler for military-industrial complex enterprises to be concentrated and fully dependent not on export supplies across half the galaxy, but only on internal transports within their territories.
There, even if destructive forces like the same pirates are present, they are few in number, much easier to track and eliminate even by Defense Fleet forces.
Yes, creating numerous duplicating productions is hard, economically costly, and, in the opinion of the same Imperial military industry, excessive.
But we are not the Empire.
We do not intend to take by quantity, only by quality.
Squeezing the maximum out of everything we have and get.
If only the restoration of the ancient cloaking device from the planet Yalara, allowing to hide an entire planet from everyone, progressed not so slowly as now.
But, unfortunately, archaic technologies, lack of understanding even of the principles of operation of most of the device's mechanisms, force reconciliation with the unwelcome reality.
Because I have far-reaching plans for this cloaking installation.
Of course, stygium can be used for a similar effect, but the produced calculations indicate that there is simply not enough of it to make even one planet "disappear."
Ghybridium is useless for this—what good is a planet or moon hidden from all types of scanners and emissions if even starlight will not penetrate through the cloaking screen?
Pitch darkness, surface cooling, winter… Honestly—an interesting development of events.
I would even say—extreme.
And very risky, considering that we are directly dependent on ghybridium supplies from Garos IV.
And this planet is in the Mid Rim, quite far from the metropolis borders.
Yes, it has been turned into a fortress and squadrons of Star Destroyers regularly patrol there, escorting departing and arriving transports with food, equipment, and resources.
But it must be understood that any serious fleet offensive, none of the fortress planets: Garos IV, Treg, Kelada, Columex, Makem Te, Chasin, and Susevfi will simply not withstand without support.
One could, of course, keep a dozen or two Star Destroyers in nearby systems to ensure reinforcements arrive at the right moment, but how many times did I myself strike first at reinforcements while the main target was left "for dessert."
One cannot underestimate an opponent who, just like me, can first throw forces at destroying reinforcements.
It is reassuring only that the defense of the planets is thought out and organized to hold the enemy exactly until help arrives from the metropolis.
Without any special means, superweapons, or Jesuit cunning, the fortress worlds cannot be taken by storm.
But if the enemy has exactly that "crowbar" against which there is no other recourse but a similar "crowbar," then, however selfish it sounds—nothing can be done.
Such a system will be lost, like it or not.
However, the situation with "dispersal of duplicating capacities" has a very serious problem.
"Cadres decide everything" was said by Comrade Stalin in May 1935 to the graduates of military academies.
And this phrase reflects the essence of the problem like never before.
One can plan as much as one wants, but precise execution of the plan is just as important as the conception itself.
If the issue with squadron commanders is resolved for the first time, the military-civilian administration is slowly, creakingly, but forming, then the scientific and engineering thought…
The bells rang more than once.
Now we are approaching the limit that I do not want to see.
Honestly, I never wondered until now why in the Star Wars universe there are so few known surnames of the same shipbuilders.
In my view, hundreds, perhaps thousands of designers and shipwrights should labor and do labor in shipbuilding corporations, each developing this or that project, which after approval is implemented in metal.
But everything is not like that at all.
The realities are such that in small shipbuilding companies there are only a few specialists who can develop blueprints and a starship project.
Each such worker is worth his weight in aurodium with which supertransport holds are stuffed.
The larger the corporation, the… Insignificant the increase in such employees.
The conservatism of shipbuilders ensures primarily low competition.
A corporation developing starships earns itself a reputation and can produce spaceships of the same type for decades, making only minimal edits and improvements on client requests.
Companies chase new developments only when such necessity arises and a highly solvent client appears.
For example, during preparation for war or in its process.
The Kuat Drive Yards are a definite exception in this case, because they not only develop starships for customers but also produce them, including military (especially military) for their own needs.
Which, by the way, no corporation in the galaxy with similar directions does.
The Kuati can afford to build dozens of types of combat ships that will not even be bought by the customer.
Because they develop them including with their own needs in mind.
No buyer found? No problem.
Send to our own fleet.
That is why Lira Wessex or her father—creators of the "Acclamator," "Venator," "Victory," and "Imperial"—are so famous.
They brought into the world the most massive and most famous starships of their time.
Receiving huge money for it.
And they continue their work.
True, Lira Wessex disappeared from the sight of "Kuat" and the entire galaxy as soon as the Star Super Dreadnought "Eclipse" disappeared from the yards along with elite specialists.
And it can be boldly said that if the ship is with Palpatine, then the team of specialists who actually created the entire line fleet of the Galactic Empire is too.
And this is a problem.
Because according to the stories of the same Zion, Lira Wessex intended to fix the shortcomings of the "Imperial."
She even kidnapped her father for this, who miraculously escaped and now continues to labor in "Rendili StarDrive."
Judging by the pompous presentation of the Republic-class Star Destroyer—quite successfully.
And this is another reason not to relax, since this ship was supposed to be built only after the end of Palpatine's life in the period of global modernization of the New Republic fleet.
Though why be surprised here?
History is changed, and I am the one who sent this train off the rails.
But only now, half a year later, do I understand why numerous military and civilian low- and mid-level workers arrive in the Dominion, but high-class specialists like Ryan Zion are in no hurry to leave their settled places.
Shipbuilders find it disadvantageous to change jobs, because at a new place they will have to build what they are ordered, not what they want to develop themselves.
One cannot make a name on reworking others' ships or coordinating the release of someone else's product, like the Wessex family.
And name, reputation, and glory—that is exactly what lures such self-absorbed personalities as shipbuilders.
It was possible to "rein in" Zion, and, though reluctantly, he managed to readjust, understanding that the road is closed to him everywhere.
Undoubtedly, rumors of his transition under my command spread in the shipbuilding environment, which, in fact, is not as large as it may seem.
According to Zion's confessions, it is a little more than one and a half hundred sentients, each of whom bitterly dislikes successful colleagues and dreams of getting rid of a competitor.
What I did not foresee happened, not understanding the "internal kitchen" of shipbuilders.
Since the newest Dominion starships did not appear on the battlefield, therefore, in the understanding of the rest of the brethren, Zion is a failure.
Who achieved nothing under my command.
And if so, there is nothing to seek in the Dominion.
One cannot become famous here.
Deep modernizations of existing ships are "not that," "does not count." After all, it is just reworking existing projects.
Yes, loud, because the same "Dragons" raised a wave of discussions and interest in the "Holonet."
But it subsided like a hurricane with pressure equalization.
No mass application.
No originality.
All the clearer to me is Zion's urge, now and then, to change the technical specification so that a relatively new combat ship appears.
That is why he wants to transfer all Vindicator-class heavy cruisers to the "Immobilizers."
Hence the reworking of the "Interdictor" and the initial reluctance to control the modernizations of the "threes."
After all, that time he could have spent creating a completely new starship that in the hands of the Dominion could declare itself to the entire galaxy.
Resigned to his fate, Zion tries to take not by the quality of work, but by its quantity.
A bold and new direction for shipbuilders, to be fair.
But at the same time, this postulate indicates that if I manage to lure such a shipbuilder into the Dominion, a special operation will be required, like the one pulled off with Zion himself.
On the other hand, it is worth noting once again that building completely new types of large starships for us is practically impermissible and excessive luxury.
Creating small ships at the yards in the Oplovis and Quelii sectors does not go through such thorns only because there are no shipbuilders there—just like in the case of labor migration, these specialists, as soon as orders disappeared at their previous place of work, headed where the chance of getting a warm spot and big salary was much higher.
But, to be fair, a shipbuilder fled from the yard in the Oplovis sector to the New Republic.
Because he was a Republican specialist.
Including for this reason, I conducted operations to capture combat spacecraft of Imperial designs.
If one believes the Expanded Universe books, it was they that performed well in repelling the Yuuzhan Vong threat.
They and the few Republican-design Star Destroyers like the "Republic" and the yet-to-be-launched "Nebula."
As long as there are Star Destroyers available and the possibility of their modernization and improvement exists, building their analogs is unnecessary.
Only workers and money for re-equipping existing ships are needed.
And if getting the latter is no longer a super-problem, then the workers…
At the moment, Ryan Zion has created a good foundation for long-term modernization of the ships we have.
A major overhaul lies ahead.
And since Zion has already sufficiently proven himself in the developments, considering the number of yards, including orbital docks, it is worth paying attention to searching for chief engineers who can become the main disposers and controllers of repair and modernization works on our existing starships according to Ryan Zion's projects.
And therefore, for Dominion Intelligence, another task in deep enemy rear work has appeared.
"Grand Admiral, sir," the commlink came alive with the voice of Captain Tschel. "Sorry to disturb you, but you asked to report when the 'Chimaera' is half an hour from exiting hyperspace."
In other words, we have practically arrived at the meeting place with Corran Horn.
"I will be there in five minutes, Captain," I reported. "Notify the support ships of the transition to 'yellow' alert status."
Tschel did not react immediately.
"Sir, do you think we are expected at the meeting place?" he asked cautiously.
"I am sure of it, Captain. We are heading straight into a trap."
And if it turns out otherwise, I will be seriously disappointed in Corran Horn.
***
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