Mors Palace
"What the galaxy is going on in Ryloth/Algeria Colonel Dray? Where is Moff Mors and why are you in charge of everything? One of my officers was attacked by two Rebels according to my partner Taskmaster and yet nothing is being done about it!" John Walker aka U.S. Agent ranted in Dray's office
Colonel Belkor Dray maintained calm and replied in a manner similar to the way he dressed. Smooth and crisp with the utmost professionalism.
"The Imperial military division in charge of Ryloth/Algeria has had a few bumps in maintaining law and order with the civilian population. Vigilantes have sprung up amongst the people. High Governor Mors tasked me with finding a solution for this problem while she monitors the airspace of Ryloth/Algeria from a remote island off the coast of the nation. I've discovered that by bribing Twi'lek's who seek to improve their personal financial situation they are willing to receive training to become a specialized police and security task force. These particular assailants that attacked your partner must be highly trained mercenaries hired by Twi'lek vigilantes."
U.S. Agent struggled to control his temper but his hands continued to shake with fury. He hated excuses for failure especially from bureaucratic Imperial officers who cared only for protocol not success. There was no time for such trivial matters. U.S. Agent knew that a Rebel movement with vast amounts of resources and numbers had flourished under Moff Mors nose. He wanted to uproot this treasonous movement before it caused serious damage or death to Imperial personnel and equipment.
"This has nothing to do with vigilantes. I believe this is connected to a larger Rebel movement that's formed in Ryloth/Algeria. It would explain why various supply depots have been attacked with growing regularity in this nation." U.S. Agent accused pointing a finger at Colonel Dray
Colonel Dray unintimidated by US Agent threatening glare and accusatory finger gave a cold but polite laugh, "Captain Walker please think of what you're insinuating. You are suggesting based on a hunch that an organized rebellion with extensive infrastructure, a sophisticated intelligence network and powerful operatives is operating in Ryloth/Algeria underneath one of the most robustly staffed divisions in the entire Imperial military?"
"I'm saying that it's not a coincidence that there are shipping air ships being attacked by "pirates", growing unrest in the country that you and Moff Mors can barely contain and then this attack of an Imperial Air Ship Captain by two "mercenaries" all happening at the same time. Go out to Mors's island vacation spot and give her a full report of your operation to her. Oh and I'll be keeping a close eye on things here until the Rebels in this country are dealt with." U.S. Agent ordered
Belkor struggled to suppress a frown before saying, "Under whose authority?"
"Neo Hydra's. A special division under Military Intelligence that's under Director de Fontaine. So...if I were you I'd get my Dank Ferrik house in order...Colonel."
Belkor again resisted the urge to shout at U.S. Agent instead falling back into his smooth professional demeanor.
"I assure you Captain Walker. There's nothing to worry about regarding a growing insurgent movement or High Governor Mors ability to manage law and order here in Ryloth/Algeria. In fact High Governor Mors is probably hard at work monitoring Imperial military matters throughout the nation within her private estate on her island." Colonel Dray reassured
Unfortunately Colonel Dray was horrified by the sight of High Governor Mors high as a kite on spice kissing a Twi'lek servant wearing a bikini. He noticed all of the Twi'lek servants were green females and they all wore bikinis instead of uniforms. The opulent mansion that was supposed to be Mors's private residence but doubled as her military command center looked more like a civilian academy frat house. Belkor resisted the urge to panic and overreact. He needed to stick to the plan. Belkor knew he needed to pretend to view High Governor Delian Mors as an excellent military leader that help was proud to serve under. Was being the operative because over the past 2 years Mors became lazy, complacent, corrupt and narcissistic.
Convinced that without Cham Syndulla operating as an activist and public figure in Rylothian society the population would be easy to rule over Mors stopped operating in a disciplined and professional manner. She spent her days in wild orgies with female escorts and servants, using spice and making deals with crime lords. One of these crime lords, a notorious spice dealer named Madam Gao actually sat next to Mors as if she were a next door neighbor to a suburban house wife.
"I see your subordinate is particularly tense now that I'm in your presence. Perhaps we continue the negotiations another time." Madam Gao told Mors
"Belkor? He's an ally who has gotten a lot done for me on the mainland. He's a stickler for rules but for you I'm sure he'd make an exception Madam." Mors said her speech slurred
"No no no Delian. I don't want to intrude. We'll talk at a later time. It was a pleasure to see you Delian."
"You as well Madam." Mors replied with a friendly wave
Gao's security forces at the back of the lounge were escorted out of the mansion by Mors's personal Stormtrooper detail. Only two Stormtroopers remained and both of them were women. Young inexperienced recent graduates from an Imperial Academy from Belkor's observations. Belkor resisted the temptation to criticize Mors's decision to have an all female security detail within her lounge. He managed with great effort to keep his face neutral so that he would continue to maintain the trust he earned from Mors. Yet he scrunched his face at how overweight Mors was and how her eyes were glazed over from smoking so much spice.
"So Colonel Belkor. You have urgent news. Please tell me there's a silver lining in all of this and that you'll have the situation under control." Mors said in a bored voice
"There have been attacks on a few shipping routes and a small amount of airships have been destroyed as well. I've expanded search parameters to find the pirates who are responsible for this and to determine if they used information from the civilian population to stage these attacks." Belkor replied in his trademark crisp professional tone
Mors eyes narrowed suspiciously, "What makes you think this was the work of pirates? Madam Gao suspects there has been a growing number of insurgent groups the last few months. Why rule out the possibility insurgents are behind these attacks?"
Belkor smirked sardonically but only for a moment before adopting his earlier neutral tone. He was prepared for the slim possibility that Mors internal suspicion would override her lethargic lifestyle and addiction to spice. Melian Mors was changed by her wife's death which was caused by an out of control getaway driver after a robbery crashing into their vehicle. Mors survived but with various injuries while her wife was killed instantly. The rehab process and pain killers led to the development of lethargic hedonistic partying with Twi'lek escorts as a way to deal with her grief.
For a time Belkor rolled his eyes at this behavior. He accepted it at that point in time because Mors managed her administrative duties effectively during daytime hours. Belkor didn't mind cleaning up after Mors when her focus turned to green skin Twi'lek servants who were assigned cleaning and maintenance duties on the base. However when Mors developed an addiction to spice Belkor was forced to take on more of her duties to maintain the complex and vast Imperial military operations on Ryloth/Algeria. If the true nature of Moff Mors condition spread throughout the entire military division on Ryloth/Algeria then it would lead to chaos.
That's why Belkor's growing resentment became internalized. Though on rare occasions it manifested itself with a sardonic smirk of contempt at High Governor Mors. However he was prepared for a rational excuse to explain this seemingly callous act of insubordination.
"I prepare our forces everyday for the possibility of a strong insurgent strike that will destabilize military operations on Ryloth/Algeria. These insurgents are too pathetic to raid shipping lines though. It doesn't fit their grandiose modus operandi of one day overthrowing the Empire. Ha, ha, ha.
Apparently one of them was a pilot named Sam Wilson an officer of the former Republic Military but now goes by the title Captain America. Steve Rogers who no longer has the title Captain America was humiliated in battle by Darth Vader according to rumors on highly classified military communication channels. Ha, ha, ha. Pirates are most likely the culprits for such petty violence. Not former Avengers motivated by foolish idealism." Belkor said in a polished manner dripping with contempt
"Fair enough Colonel. Just have your personnel prepared for the unlikely event of an insurgent attack. Also stop relying so much on domestic police forces. It's a drain on our financial resources and if these Twi'lek security officers believe themselves too indispensable to our operations they'll demand more payment and privileges. We cannot have variables that we cannot control. Be sure to increase the number of Stormtroopers that patrol at night effective immediately." High Governor Mors ordered with a slight cough
Her eyes grew slightly red from the high she started to feel from the usage of spice.
Belkor resisted the urge to turn his face into a scowl. He instead composed his expression and maintained his smooth professional demeanor with a neutral expression.
"I'm just concerned High Governor that such an action will rile up the Twi'lek's and cause riots. Riots will create damage to the downtown districts and disrupt the flow of business on the planet." Belkor replied with a false humility
"You've done an excellent job of managing the day to day affairs of our occupation Colonel. But I'm in charge not you. We cannot project any aspect of dependence to Twi'lek's in our operations. I expect you to carry out my orders when I've given them. I hope you haven't let your increased responsibilities give you any ideas that you're the High Governor instead of me." High Governor Mors asked with a girlish laugh
She winked at a nearby Twi'lek escort who was sunbathing who returned the wink with a smile. The escort got up removed High Governor Mors uniform top and started rubbing lotion on her shoulders.
"No ma'am. Not at all. Consider your orders carried out. Am I dismissed?" Belkor asked maintaining his neutral expression
"Yes you are Colonel." High Governor Mors said with a comforting sigh
Belkor left immediately and only when he reached the bottom floor of the elevator that he was escorted into by Mors personal Stormtrooper security detail that he hissed the phrase fat slut regarding his out of shape and lazy commanding officer. He started punching the elevator walls and let out a guttural roar of contempt at High Governor Mors and at the hot and dry and loudly chaotic nation of Ryloth/Algeria.
"Belkor we need to meet. It's extremely important and there's no time for you to argue. Let's meet at the arranged place we met last time." Cham Syndulla said into Belkor's secret comm link via voice scrambler interrupting Belkor's tantrum
Belkor had a feeling things were about to become dangerously more complicated on Ryloth/Algeria.