The comm pinged quietly at first and rose in volume as Driver ignored it.

3am…someone better be dying

He slapped the ‘receive’ button on his comm, “What.”

Mr. Panz nervously stammered, “M’lord you have a communiqué from Admiral Stormz.”

What the frak

“Put it through to my quarters.”

The holo image of the Wookiee shimmered to life.  This was not a live feed, it was a recording.

“[It's with rrregret that I have to do this, G, howeverrr, I cannot move forrrward and crrreate the vision of the Navy I have with you in the position of Chief of Naval Operrrations, yourrr yearrrs of serrrvice arrre not being disrrregarded and you arrre welcome in a non-command position while I'm the Naval Commanderrr in Chief.]”

The holo cut out leaving the Atoran momentarily stunned.  Then the anger rose.

“Pans, get me the Admiral NOW.”

Stammering again, “M’lord, the message was accompanied by the strictest orders to NOT contact him.”

Silence filled the comm.

The XO’s quavering voice inquired, “M’lord…?”

“I’m here Pans, get me a feed to the VE High Council. Not live, I’ve got a message to send to them.”

“Yes, M’lord.”

Moments later the feed came across, a weakly flashing light signaled the open channel.

“Supreme Moff Kadann and the rest of the High Council, greetings. Tonight I was summarily retired from the Navy of the Vast Empire. It was done without previous discussion or warning.  I may be a surly and unpleasant bastard, but I am a loyal and honorable man.  This sort of treachery is low and common, and holds no place in the Empire ‘I’ serve.  The fact that it has been allowed to proceed without due process or even base courtesy speaks volumes to the moral compass of this ‘Empire’

Therefore it is with great regret that I invoke Subsection 45, paragraph 4 of the Instrument of Abdication and Transfer I signed with the Vast Empire. The ties that bind the Atoran Imperial Hegemony and the Vast Empire are hereby sundered.  I retake possession of all Atoran property previously ceded to the Vast Empire.  All ships previously under Atoran sovereignty are recalled.  All Vast Empire officials and agents on Ator or the other worlds of the Hegemony are expelled. 

We invoke the status of Neutral Party in the conflicts you have with the New Republic and the other forces of the Remnant.  Failure to comply with our Neutrality WILL result in our petition of asylum and membership WITH the New Republic. Given that Ator lies on the far side of the Galaxy and we are much closer to New Republican space than Vast Empire space it would make for a difficult time for you to attempt a military solution. That, coupled with the intelligence I can, and WILL deliver to the New Republic if you so choose to move on me, my family or my worlds.  We wish you no harm, but you are not what we will deign to be a part of.  I wish you luck and safe space.  Prince-Admiral Geordi II of Ator signing out.”

Stabbing the bridge comm he hissed, “Mr. Pans, lay course for Ator. Flank Speed, get me away from this planet, the smell offends me.”