As far as integrations went, Cantros was going smoothly enough.
Pax Imperialis, or the Empire of Peace Doctrine, laid out a clear groundwork for exactly how planets were brought into the First Order’s protective embrace. It had to be tailored somewhat to each individual planet’s needs and traditions, but in most cases, it started with a massive mobilization on behalf of the First Order Army.
Unlike the Stormtrooper Corps, whose sole occupation was to kick arses up between ears, the FOA was far more flexible when it came to carrying out missions. It could, and often did, engage in close combat with the enemy, but it was also a good choice for large scale civil engineering operations as well.
Engineers could help improve roads, build bridges, construct hospitals and schools, or clear fields for agriculture. Logistics branch had the means and organization to import massive amounts of humanitarian relief such as medical supplies, foodstuffs, heavy construction equipment for civil engineering projects, construction materials, seasonal appropriate clothing, or anything else considered necessary to address the needs of the populace. Military Police could both work with civilian law enforcement agencies to help enforce order, and train them up to Dosuunian Standard for the task. Even Infantry could provide endless hordes of strong backs and high spirits; they weren’t the faceless killers of the STC, and had a much easier time putting their best foot forward.
The key to this all was the Dosuunian Standard. Every world under the First Order’s umbrella would be brought up to the standard of living of the capital planet. In the Core, that wouldn’t be such a big issue. Various governments spent untold mountains and oceans of credits over the span of centuries ensuring that anyone who lived in the
important parts of the galaxy had shiny skyscrapers to look at. The Outer Rim, however, had more often than not been neglected, and many worlds lived in relative poverty compared to their Coreward neighbors.
Pax Imperialis sought to change that.
Cantros wasn’t as bad off as many. The felinoids had a long and often prosperous history of cooperation with many of the governments of the Core World, and had a reasonably advanced technology base to match. They also had a very strong martial tradition and the pride that came with it. Their entry into the First Order had come with two conditions: firstly, that they be treated as equals, and secondly, that the First Order was worthy of being
their equal.
The ensuing contest of wills and, quite literally, spirits, was the stuff of legend, but at the end of the day, they were more than willing to embrace their brothers and sisters in Imperial Peace, and no sooner had the ink dried than the First Order descended in force to uplift them.
The initial stage of the
Pax Cantros program had three prongs.
The largest, by any measure, was a massive civil engineering project in the more rural and impoverished areas. Like many worlds, wealth tended to coalesce in the cities, and as such, those who lived at a remove from the bustle and the lights often went without basic amenities. This wasn’t a uniquely Cantrosian problem by any means, but the Dosuunian Standard applied to everyone, even the country bumpkins. Dubbed
OPERATION OPEN PAW, infantry battalions were scattered piecemeal across the surface of the planet, working with both the Cantrosian Self Defense Force and civil engineering and medical teams to survey, assess, and help wherever possible.
The second prong was devoted to the Cantrosian Self Defense Force itself. Though reasonably competent, they were more than willing (perhaps even eager) to train with the First Order. To that end, just about every branch
but the Stormtrooper Corps was present in force for
OPERATION SHARPENED CLAW.
In orbit, the First Order Navy had a fairly large task force. Its role was one part escort for the mass of civilian cargo ships bringing much needed supplies, one part taxi service for the elements of the Starfighter Corps that would be present for the operation, and one part show of strength. Elements of both the Navy and the Starfighter Corps would be working with the CSDF in a joint exercise to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and just as important, to impress upon them the might that would be theirs by virtue of joining the First Order.
On the ground, elements of the First Friesland Regiment were deployed in and around Minkaren, the capital city of Cantros. Most were working on joint exercises with the CSDF in the proving grounds of the nearby military base, for much the same purpose as the Navy and Starfighter Corps. The 1FR, brought into the First Order Army under the
EMU Program, were considered elite by nearly any standard that mattered. What’s more, they served as an example of what Cantros could expect to achieve as a partner nation.
Within the city itself, elements of the 1FR were set up in both of the city’s large parks as static displays. Politely but firmly kept a safe distance away from the tanks and artillery pieces, the public were nonetheless able to see the massive armored beasts up close, and interact with members of the First Order Army in person. The 1FR’s premier infantry company, Alpha 1-1FR, or the Alphas were working with elements of the Cantrosian Home Guard, their elite civil protection agency. They’d even gifted them with several hundred sets of modified last-gen armor from the STC. More modern equipment would come later, but for now, the CHG was happy to get whatever they could, so long as it fit and didn’t pinch their tails.
The third and final prong was almost entirely civilian, and thus, had no operational name. For starters, within the Capitol Building, several high ranking officials from the First Order were meeting with their counterparts from Cantros.
The relevant treaty documents that brought Cantros within the First Order had already been signed. This meeting was more about fleshing out the details, but had a strong public relations aspect. The Future Leaders of Cantros Society, a group of exceptional schoolchildren from across the planet, were present, along with a delegation from the Fortan Institute for Exceptional Children, a tuition-free boarding school for children from across the First Order who showed exceptional promise as leaders. They would observe the negotiations, and would even be given the opportunity to participate, under the watchful gaze of the Minister of Education and Grigory the Bear, their chaperone.
Meanwhile, civilian medical personnel were scattered across the planet, supported by but not a part of Operation Open Paw. They would establish field hospitals in the worst parts of Cantros; a famine had recently struck the southern subcontinent, with the accompanying plague and civil strife that always followed. The Cantrosian Self Defense Force had tried their best to keep order and provide relief, but had been poorly suited to the task.
Meanwhile, the First Order Security Bureau had a strong undercover presence within both Minkaren, the capital, and other major cities. Terrorist activity, mostly sporadic, had led to suspicions that offworlders were backing subversive elements within the Cantrosian population. That was to be expected, and the FOSB was experienced in handling such matters.
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Colonel Alois Hammer sat in the Capitol Building as part of the civilian delegation meeting with their Cantrosian brethren. As the commander of the First Friesland Regiment, he was on hand to serve as the military’s poster boy and cheerleader for the EMU Program. He wasn’t scheduled to speak until later that afternoon, and as such, kept his mouth shut and quietly followed proceedings.
“Sir, there’s been an incident,” came a voice from his earpiece.
“What is it?” he asked, subvocalizing rather than speaking aloud. The implant in his jaw would detect the motions and vibrations, translated them to proper speech, and broadcast them over the encrypted net.
“A bomb went off inside the city, at the conference center where the Alphas were meeting with the CHG. No word on casualties yet, but both the Alphas and CHG are
pissed. Orders, sir?”
“Secure the building. No one goes in or out until you figure out what the hell is going on. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an ambush waiting up the street. Help is on the way.”
All across the room, delegates and security personnel were starting to receive the news. No one showed any real signs of panic. Everyone on the First Order side was at least familiar with the rigors of combat; it was well known that the Cantrosians respected strength, and everyone present met that requirement in spades. The Cantrosians, meanwhile, would rather rip out their claws than appear afraid in front of offworlders, even if they were now allies.
“Ladies, gentlebeings, there appears to have been a terrorist attack within Minkaren,” a tall, impeccably uniformed Cantrosian said. Alois pegged him as the head of the CHG detachment responsible for the Capitol Building. “At this time, we are unsure of their intent, but rest assured, we are taking all appropriate measures to secure the Capitol Building. At this time, we must ask that everyone here remain within the security zone. There’s no need for worry or panic. We will provide updates as they arrive.”
The buzz died down almost instantly. There was an air of tension within the room, but even the schoolchildren, most of them barely teenagers, were doing their best to appear unaffected. Good.
This is a strong bunch, Alois thought to himself.
I pity the poor bastard that tries to pull something on them. If the politicians don’t shoot them, that bloody bear is liable to eat them. Who the hell hired him, anyway? 
