Private The Two-Front Conundrum

[Marlon Sularen]

T H E_T W O_F R O N T_C O N U N D R U M

DARK EMPIRE
WISTRIL, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

The Rise of the Diarchy and it's acquisition of many Imperial worlds within the northern portions of the New Territories had caught the Empire off-guard as in addition to it's ongoing campaign against the Galactic Alliance in the Core Worlds, it now had to face a rival that sought to challenge it's rightful claim to the New Territories with the Empire now facing the prospect of a two-front war, which if poorly managed could prove to be disasterous. While the Alliance was the bigger threat, it was vital that the Diarchy was kept contained so that it would not further grow in strength and influence especially as the Empire was still struggling to exit from it's current state of stagnation. If the Diarchy even managed to slightly overcome the Empire in influence and strength, then the Empire would be in big danger facing not one but two stronger enemies on both sides of their borders.

As such in order to ensure that such an outcome would never happen, the Warlord of the Empire Marlon Sularen had begun to draw plans on how the Imperial Military could contain the Diarchy starting with the Jaemus Initiative, which if successfully completed would enable the Empire to establish a foothold within the Diarchy's sphere of influence through Jaemus while also gaining the ability to monitor their fleet movements through a vast portion of Diarchy Space. However to contain the Diarchy the Empire needed more cards to play then the Jaemus Initiative, more methods to keep the Diarchy at bay while minimizing the amount of assets required to do so.

Thus, the Warlord would summon his capable and trustworthy second-in-command, Allegiant General Domaric Mordane to his temporary headquarters at the Wistril Shipyards, so that they could share and discuss potential strategies that the Empire could implement to further contain the Diarchy and reduce the amount of stress the Imperial Military would potentially face when dealing with this two-front war dilemma. Time was of the essence as the Empire needed to quickly respond to the growing threat that was the Diarchy or face being potentially outpaced and outmaneuvered by them, condemning the Empire to an early grave. Hopefully through a combination of Sularen's sheer determination and innovative mind, along with Mordane's adaptability, experience and orginization, a proper solution could be found in time, one that would ensure ensure the Empire's dominance over the Diarchy in the foreseeable future.

Tags | Domaric Mordane ​

 

[Domaric Mordane]

Marlon Sularen​

The INV Imperius glided through the void, its dagger-shaped hull imposing against the scattered light of distant stars. From the bridge, Allegiant General Domaric Mordane watched as the Wistril Shipyards loomed larger in the viewport. The vast complex sprawled like a metallic spiderweb, cradling star destroyers, carriers, and frigates in various stages of construction and repair. It was a testament to Imperial engineering—and a reminder of the endless demands of a galaxy at war.

The summons from Warlord Sularen had arrived with characteristic brevity and weight. Mordane was no stranger to these moments, the junctions where decisions shaped the fate of empires. He glanced at the holographic display on the command dais, where reports on the Diarchy's expansion flickered alongside status updates from his own forces. The northern campaign had stretched resources thin, and while Muunilist offered a potential foothold, it was far from secure. The stakes were rising.

"Admiral Stahl," Mordane addressed his adjutant without turning, his tone measured but firm. "Ensure the ship's docking procedures are completed with precision. Full resupply, replenishment of munitions, and detailed maintenance protocols for the reactor core. I want every system operating at peak efficiency."

Stahl saluted crisply. "Understood, Allegiant General. Shall I arrange for additional crew rotations to expedite repairs?"

"Do it," Mordane replied. "Inform the shipyard administrators that the Imperius is not to linger here longer than necessary. The Warlord's priorities supersede all else."

The docking clamps locked into place with a resonant thud as the Imperius settled into its berth. Mordane left the bridge, his black and gray uniform pristine, his steps precise as he made his way to the shuttle bay. The durasteel corridors of the star destroyer were silent but for the faint hum of its life-support systems, a contrast to the distant murmur of activity beyond its hull.

Within minutes, Mordane's shuttle crossed the gulf between his flagship and the command tower of the shipyards. Upon landing, the hiss of depressurizing airlocks was accompanied by the sight of Imperial officers and naval troopers in formation, their boots clicking against the polished deck as they saluted in unison.

Mordane disembarked with an air of quiet authority. His mind was already cataloging potential strategies for the meeting, from covert destabilization campaigns to the tactical use of Jaemus as a choke point. The Warlord would expect ingenuity, precision, and solutions that demanded minimal strain on the Empire's stretched military assets.

Escorted to the central briefing chamber, Mordane entered the dimly lit room dominated by a holotable projecting the known sectors of the New Territories. Warlord Sularen stood at its head, flanked by senior aides and strategists.

Mordane approached, saluted crisply, and offered the brief greeting expected of a soldier of his station.

"Good afternoon, Warlord."

 

[Marlon Sularen]

T H E_T W O_F R O N T_C O N U N D R U M

DARK EMPIRE
WISTRIL, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

Sularen stood at the head of the holotable, flanked by his trusted and capable subordinates Colonel Rackham and Admiral Hamilton as the Allegiant General would enter the room, greeting the Imperial Warlord upon arrival. "Ah, Allegiant General Mordane nice of you to join us at last" Sularen said as he greeted the Allegiant General. "Now that you have arrived, we can finally discuss the urgent matters that require immediate discussion" the Warlord added. With the pleasantries set aside Sularen shifted his attention to the holomap which displayed a image of the map of the north-eastern portion New Territories.

"Recently, the so-called Diarchy has emerged as a major power in the galactic stage seizing control of various Imperial worlds such as Bastion, Bescane and Entralla, and threatening more Imperial-loyal planets such as Jaemus." the Sularen began as he explained the current situation the Empire faced. "As shown with recent skirmishes at Entralla and Munnilinst, the Diarchy has amassed a considerable amount of military strength and with control over the Kuat-Entralla Shipyards, their Fleets will only grow in size and strength moving forward and thus it is vital we find a effective strategy to contain this growing threat before it grows too strong." the Warlord added.

"I'm open to any proposals as we will require all sorts of innovative and unconventional methods to outmaneuver the Diarchy in this dangerous times for our Empire."

Tags | Domaric Mordane ​

 

[Domaric Mordane]

Marlon Sularen​

Mordane's attention quickly shifted to the map, his hands clasped behind his back. The Diarchy's dominance over Bastion, Bescane, and Entralla was undeniable. However, the systems of Jaemus, Mygeeto, and Scipio remained key to tipping the balance of power.

"Jaemus," Mordane began, gesturing toward the system on the map, "is our closest viable foothold near their territory. If we secure Jaemus, we gain an invaluable staging ground. Its proximity to Entralla and Bastion places us at the threshold of their core holdings, allowing us to disrupt their movements and supply lines with greater efficiency."

He shifted his gaze toward Mygeeto and Scipio, both critical systems for economic and logistical leverage.

"Taking Mygeeto and Scipio would give us the resources and industrial base necessary for a sustained campaign. Mygeeto's wealth in nova crystals and Scipio's financial institutions would serve as the backbone of our operations in the region. With these worlds under our control, we create a dual axis of advance—one that presses toward Entralla and one that threatens Bescane and Bastion directly."

His tone turned steely as he gestured toward Yaga Minor.

"And Yaga Minor must be prioritized. Its shipyards represent a critical strategic asset, one that could either tip the scale in our favor or bolster the Diarchy's growing fleet if left unchecked. The risk of leaving it in their sphere of influence is too great."

He leaned forward slightly, his icy expression betraying none of the urgency in his voice.

"Our strategy must be twofold: secure footholds at Jaemus and Mygeeto, while simultaneously launching precision strikes to reclaim Yaga Minor. This will give us both the forward operating positions and the industrial capacity to sustain a war against the Diarchy. Once these systems are ours, we can sever their supply chains and isolate their worlds like Bastion and Entralla. A contained enemy is a defeated enemy."

Mordane straightened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the projection. His every word was measured, calculated.

"To succeed, Warlord, we must be decisive. The Diarchy grows stronger with every passing day. The time for hesitation is over."

 

[Marlon Sularen]

T H E_T W O_F R O N T_C O N U N D R U M

DARK EMPIRE
WISTRIL, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

Sularen listened as the Allegiant General outlined his proposed strategy which more or less aligned with his own. Sularen had already launched the Jaemus Initiative via talks with Moffs Antipater and Moff Tarkin and already planned on further expanding upon that project with the rest of the Imperial Ruling Council, while plans were already being drawn for a takeover of the Prefsbelt IV and Scipio Sectors. However there was one minor flaw regarding the Allegiant General's proposal : Jaemus.

"Valid points, Allegiant General. But there is one flaw within your strategy and that's Jaemus. At this point it is far outside our reach as the Diarchy has begun to exert their influence over the nearby planet of Dantooine with the intent of annexing it into their sphere. Considering our distance there is little we can do to stop them at this point and without controlling Dantooine, Jaemus will be isolated from the rest of the Empire." Sularen said, his eyes focused on Dantooine.

"That being said even without direct access to Jaemus, there is already a plan in motion to strengthen it before the Diarchy can incorporate it into it's sphere, which is something that we cannot prevent in the short-term." Sularen explained. "It's called the Jaemus Initiative and it involves making use of Imperial resources to establish a self-sustaining network within the Jaemus Sector that will give the Empire a backdoor within Diarchy's space, that will in turn allow us to disrupt their logistics and monitor their fleet movements." the Warlord continued.

"That brings me to my next point. While denying the Diarchy from assets that could strengthen them and isolate their core planets are valid strategies, we must also weaken their hold over the New Territories while they continue expanding. They have occupied countless Imperial worlds and according to some intel gathered by Colonel Rackham here, have engaged in hostilities with criminal elements, giving us a perfect opening to sabotage their expansion and promote unrest within their own borders. By forcing the Diarchy to divert significant resources towards internal security it will allow us to apply a greater amount of pressure on them with a limited amount of assets ourselves which will only further weaken them in the long-term"

Tags | Domaric Mordane ​

 

[Domaric Mordane]

Marlon Sularen​

Mordane listened in silence, his expression unreadable as Warlord Sularen outlined his points. His eyes moved across the holomap, processing the information with the precision of a tactician accustomed to weighing risks against opportunities. When Sularen concluded, Mordane stepped forward, his gloved hands resting lightly on the table.

"Your assessment of Jaemus is sound, Warlord," he began, his voice calm and direct, devoid of the lofty rhetoric common to others in his position. "Dantooine's proximity does complicate any immediate attempt to secure Jaemus, and the Diarchy's maneuvering is a clear attempt to consolidate a corridor of influence. Your Jaemus Initiative is a logical response—a backdoor to undermine their logistics and a foothold to monitor their movements. It has my full support."

He straightened and shifted his focus to the New Territories, where the Diarchy's hold was strongest. "As for the New Territories, Colonel Rackham's intelligence presents us with a valuable opportunity. The Diarchy is overextending itself, and their engagement with criminal elements creates the perfect conditions for asymmetrical action. Sabotage, subversion, and information warfare will disrupt their operations while forcing them to divert resources to internal security. This isn't about simply destabilizing them; it's about shaping the battlefield to our advantage without committing the bulk of our forces."

Mordane's tone remained clinical as he gestured toward key points on the map, including Mygeeto, Scipio, and Yaga Minor. "While we degrade their hold on the New Territories, we must secure assets that directly enhance our operational capability. Mygeeto's resources, Scipio's financial infrastructure, and Yaga Minor's shipyards are not optional objectives—they are necessities. Control of these systems doesn't just deny the Diarchy critical assets; it strengthens our ability to sustain multi-domain operations across this theater of war."

His gaze lifted from the map, meeting Sularen's. "This is where we differentiate ourselves from the Diarchy. They expand laterally, spreading themselves thin in an attempt to control territory. We operate vertically, layering our domains into a cohesive strategy that forces them to respond to us. The Diarchy relies on conventional warfare and linear tactics. We should embrace asymmetry. Precision strikes, joint operations, and simultaneous pressure across multiple fronts. Let them chase shadows while we make meaningful gains."

Mordane stepped back from the table, his posture relaxed but his presence commanding. "This approach isn't theory, Warlord. It's practice. I've jumped into contested zones alongside my troops, stood with them in the trenches, and fought in the void above worlds I later commanded. Warfare isn't just about commanding from a distance—it's about understanding how each domain affects the other and using that understanding to exploit weaknesses. This is the kind of war we must fight. Fluid. Unpredictable. Relentless."

He gestured again toward the map, this time focusing on the broader strategic picture. "The Diarchy's expansion into Dantooine is a calculated move, but one that overextends them. Let them take it. We can't stop that in the short term, but we can make them pay for it. Every step they take forward should feel like walking into quicksand. Every asset they seize must come with costs they cannot afford. Meanwhile, we consolidate, secure critical systems, and dictate the pace of this conflict."

Mordane's voice lowered slightly, becoming almost conversational. "This isn't about bravado. It's about execution. We fight smart, fight fast, and fight where they least expect it. That's how we win, Warlord. Not through brute force, but through control—of the battlefield, the narrative, and their mistakes."

 

[Marlon Sularen]

T H E_T W O_F R O N T_C O N U N D R U M

DARK EMPIRE
WISTRIL, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

Sularen nodded as the Allegiant General spoke, fully agreeing with his points. The Empire had lost control over everything, the battlefield, the narrative and had miss on plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the weaknesses and mistakes of their rivals. However the war with the Diarchy presented them with a unique opportunity to make up for such lack of initiative and put an end to the constant stagnation of the Empire. While Sularen had his eyes on Jaemus, it was clear that securing the Scipio and Prefsbelt IV Sectors were also a priority.

"I couldn't agree more, Allegiant General. Although if we are to take back control of the tides, we need to start with baby steps, move carefully but with swiftness and decisiveness." Sularen said, before highlighting the worlds of Scipio and Jaemus. "I believe we should start here with Jaemus and Scipio. Already the preliminary steps have been taken to advance the Jaemus Initiative, but it is also imperative that we secure Scipio and Mygeeto given that they will enhance our operational capability as you pointed out earlier." the Warlord added.

"Regarding that sector, i believe our focus should be Scipio as our intel has suggested that after our recent clash with the Diarchy at Munnilinst, the Baking Clan has retreated to Scipio. By focusing our efforts on taking control of the planet we could force the Banking Clan to heel and force them to the table on our terms, gaining access to alternative financial resources that were denied from us at Munnilinst. I assume you have a plan in place on how to carry out such an operation, yes?"

Tags | Domaric Mordane ​