"Let us begin," Daimon said as looked at Kael Thoryn who was the first to speak.
"The newly acquired sectors represent a net expansion of 74 planetary systems. Several are in critical need of reconstruction. Terraforming is required across at least 23 of them, with an additional 12 suffering from Abominor planted diseases that Darek's teams must assess."
Orin Volkar nodded. "I've already begun assembling terraforming teams. We'll begin with the closest and most resource-rich systems. The priority is to make the worlds livable and productive within five to ten years."
Darek Thalor leaned forward, tapping on the projector. A new panel appeared, revealing mass grave sites and genetic mutation zones. "Medical efforts must begin immediately. Many of the former slaves have been genetically altered. Some are no longer baseline sapients. We'll need containment zones and research teams to assess what can be reversed, and what must be... neutralized." While the war was over, the Abominor left behind some abominations that could no longer be called sapients and would need to be neutralized if there wasn't a way to fix them.
Liraen Vos crossed her arms as she spoke. "Security infrastructure is nonexistent in these regions. I'll need some legions and an Ascendant Vanguard detachment for the larger worlds. If some of the slave factions attempt to regroup, I want an overwhelming force ready to respond in case something happens." Daimon nodded, agreeing with her request. The Ascendants were bred for war after all, and they would need to send a strong message to the population of these worlds.
Malis Kaevor spoke next, speaking about the faith of these newly conquered people. "And the souls of these sectors must be cleansed. I've already sent sermons to some of these planets. The people must understand the Imperial ways and truth of the person who liberated them. I propose establishing mobile Doctrine Temples on each liberated world." For Malis, this was an absolutely necessary move that needed to be done. If left unchecked, these new worlds could become a potential haven for strong religious opposition formed because of the thousands of different cultures that would form in the coming centuries.
A strong hold would need to be established to ensure that Imperial norms were established across these new sectors.
"Agreed. This followed by the establishment of Imperial laws and such across these worlds will ensure stability in the long term." Said Daimon agreeing with Progenitor Malis. He turned his gaze to the other side of the table to get their input next.
Lucan Arterius spoke first. "The children from these sectors must be integrated into the education systems. I'll have some trainers and other people from the order to lead these efforts. These kids must learn who they are now, not just who they were."
Vanya Kaelen adjusted her datapad. "Reconstruction will cost trillions. I'll push through an economic acceleration package. We can leverage these sectors' ore deposits and position them as production centers. I'll also open negotiations with various corporations for loans and other investments in exchange for a few benefits." This way, the costs of reconstruction won't fall solely on the Imperial side, and they can invite outside investment in exchange for some benefits. Many corporations would jump at these benefits as it was rare for Daimon to hand them out. This was mainly so he can use them as leverage in cases such as this.
"I advise we set up a colonial system where these new colonies are ruled under a colonial administration that reports directly to the Emperor, which will allow the sector some sort of independence for now until we can effectively integrate all these worlds. Right now, it will be an economic burden to simply integrate each world, but by allowing limited local rule, we can promote self-development in exchange for loyalty." suggested Ronan Galerius. He was all for integration, but immediate integration will result in more problems than they need right now.
"That's a great idea actually. We could appoint new planetary governors from among the noble houses which will allow them to gain valuable experience and gain new positions within the government." The others nodded, agreeing with what both Ronan and Daimon said. It was a sound idea that could benefit them in the long run so long as they execute it right.
High Lord Tiberius Raith didn't have much to say so they moved on to the final person, Caelia Renara. "I propose delegations made up of nobles and other people to show these former slaves that the Imperium is not merely a new master, but a liberator. We have already won most of their hearts and minds, we will just need to make sure that we watch those who will not conform and try to split off."
"Don't worry about that," Daimon replied. "Without ships or modern weaponry, these battle slaves won't pose that much of a problem. I have already foreseen several instances of rebellion, but they won't last for long nor will they have any negative effects of the Imperium. We will take a rather aggressive approach to these rebellions, similar to the ones we took in the outer colonies over century ago. This way we will destroy the rebellions and hopefully prevent future ones." He stood up slowly followed by everyone else.
"Each of you has your orders," he said. "Within three months I want these plans either being implemented or in the process of being implemented." The group said their goodbyes and left to execute their assigned missions.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPERIAL STRATEGY — MONTH ONE
From orbit, the newly acquired sectors were scarred, dark, flickering with failing infrastructure and the remnants of Abominor constructs. But change had already begun on some of them.
On Trelanus V, one of the more resource-rich planets, Orin Volkar's terraforming ships hovered across the planet. Towering harvester-filters pumped toxins from the soil and atmosphere while atmospheric processors rebalanced the planet's carbon and nitrogen levels. This technology was created in response to the limited amount of people who could actually terraform a planet in the Imperium. As such, Orin created his terraforming ships which will combine the force powers of several Force Scions from his Architect Legion and use that to terraform planets faster than normal terraforming technology.
Within two weeks, the planet's sky was blue again for the first time in nearly a century and habitable for the people who lived on it.
On Garnaal Secundus, Darek Thalor's med-specialists and genetic engineers moved through containment zones, fully suited, marking the mutated former slaves with neural-tags. Some were deemed restorable. Others, those who had become biologically incompatible were quietly eliminated via controlled euthanasia; their memories preserved through neural extractions for later study. Survivors who could be cured were given access to restricted care centers staffed by Imperial health specialists.
On Velruun IX, Ascendant detachments led by Lord Commander Aedon Korr descended on fractured slave factions attempting to hold on to regional control. Liraen Vos's security deployment was swift and ensured total destruction of any would be resistance. The Ascendants, adorned in their battle armor, launched shock assaults that obliterated the resistance with surgical precision. Those who surrendered were spared… and then later publicly hanged. Those who didn't were shot on sight.
Meanwhile, mobile Doctrine Temples, as proposed by Malis Kaevor, were set up on thirty-three planets, beginning with the most populated sectors. These floating cathedrals—half ship, half temple, landed in the newly established colonial capital cities and projected sermons. Holograms of Daimon and the Imperium's history under him played on repeat. Converts were invited into initiation chambers where dream-simulations showed them alternative futures: a life without the Imperium which was chaos, ruin; and a life within the Imperium which showed order, strength, unity.
Most chose the second. Those who didn't were marked by the Doctrine Keepers and closely watched in case they do something against the Imperium in the future.
Lucan Arterius's and the Balance Keepers had begun finding promising children and transporting them to Veldari until a Temple got built in the colonial sectors. At the Temple, they were taught galactic history, Imperial doctrine, basic combat, and philosophy. Once they mastered that, they would move on to be initiated into the Order and then start their path to become a member of the Order, if they could make it.
At the same time, the economic push was launched. Under Vanya Kaelen's direction, new regional currencies were established, anchored to the Imperial Credit. Mining operations were restarted using corporate partnerships from House Kaelen's network. Massive imperial contracts were handed out, incentivizing rapid development in exchange for limited access to planetary resources.
Nobles from minor houses were appointed as Colonial Governors, each responsible for maintaining stability and progress under strict oversight from the Grand Chancellor's office. Daimon had already selected twelve candidates, placing them in volatile regions where he hoped their success, or failure, would test their suitability for higher office.
These were just the initial steps and as the years passed things will start to improve a lot and get better.
As for the other empires of the Coalition, they saw a lot of problems start arising with the annexation of these new worlds and the distribution of resources. As much as they didn't want to admit it, their economies were already crumbling as the war was near its end. And now even though it was peace time, rebuilding often cost more than it did to fight the war.
Due to this, a number of worlds were abandoned and left to fend for themselves which would no doubt allow criminal groups to form and maybe other sinister groups. Dictators will be propped up and more people will die as a result.
The Coalition empires kept their Alliance active as a way to develop themselves and promote peace between them for the future. They even created an Alliance Aid corps to help the people across the newly conquered territories and even invited the Imperium. But Daimon rejected their invitation only because he already had his hands tied to the sectors he liberated. Anymore and he would be stretching the Imperium's resources too thin.
This didn't come as a surprise to the Coalition, so they just reached out to the next best thing, the Republic. Of course, the Republic was glad to help, mostly the Corporations and other officials who saw this development as an opportunity. While the Veldari Imperium was a growing power, it was still much weaker than the Republic which could field hundreds of thousands of ships if needed and had a bigger economy.
The only thing keeping the Imperium contending with the Republic was Daimon. No matter how massive the Republic military was, against the power of the Force, it would prove insignificant. As such, within a matter of months, the Coalition empires received a considerable amount of investment from the Republic and expanded upon its already existing trade agreements.
Entire planets resources were offered to the Republic in exchange for these agreements and investments. This greatly benefited the Republic, whose economy only kept growing thanks to its massive population and democratic values which peacefully invite planets into its influence.