"To build a powerful army and navy, the organizational structure of Mandalorian armed forces must quickly shift from our current militia-and-clan model into a professional standing military. The galaxy's age of great conflict has already begun. Only a strong army and navy can truly protect the people of Cloud City—and protect what they build."
…
"The development of Mandalorian armed forces must rely on Cloud City's economic development. Economic development is the prerequisite for building armed forces. A prosperous Cloud City can provide funding and material support—put simply, once we have money, we can buy bigger and more ships."
"The stable internal and external environment that Cloud City's economy needs will come from the strengthening and growth of Mandalorian armed forces. Building armed forces is the guarantee of economic development. Without powerful Mandalorian forces as a backbone, Cloud City's security will be threatened, and economic development becomes impossible—just like how Cloud City used to sit on rich resources yet didn't dare increase output."
At the end of the Mandalorian armed forces holo-conference, Max encouraged everyone:
"Cloud City is our test field. If we succeed here, then one day we can return to Mandalore with this successful model of civil-military integration—and bring Death Watch, the New Mandalorians, and all Mandalorians together. United. Not divided."
"For Mandalore," Max shouted, raising his fist. "This is the Way."
"For Mandalore," the Mandalorians on the other side of the projector roared back. "This is the Way!!!"
In the galaxy, very few people can defeat a Mandalorian warrior in a one-on-one fight. Even powerful Jedi or Sith can still slip and die if they underestimate them. In small-scale conflicts, a squad of Mandalorians can consistently beat enemies several times their number—even elite special forces.
But if a true planetary-scale war breaks out, Mandalorians aren't enough on their own. When the enemy's Star Destroyers are right overhead ready to begin orbital bombardment, Mandalorians can only take their Kom'rk-class and Fang-class starfighters up to "scratch and tickle" the hull—unless they strap on rocket packs and try a boarding strike. Either way, they don't have capital ships.
For a long time, Mandalore has had elite warriors—but not a powerful military. Starting with Cloud City, Max was determined to change that.
He had no experience building a professional force. Neither did his warriors. So what now?
Cross the river by feeling for stones, Max thought.
"Boss, I'm against a rank system," Christopher Ryen said. "Right now, we're all brothers and sisters—everyone equals. If we introduce ranks, I don't think we can keep that bond."
"Yeah. I back Chris. A rank system just isn't Mandalorian."
"You three go debate it in the rear compartment," Max said from the cockpit, shooing them out. "I'm about to meet with Cloud City's management."
During the earlier holo-conference, Max had thrown out a whole list of "professionalization" topics for discussion. Judging by this, the question of "should we implement a rank system in the reorganized Mandalorian forces" was going to draw plenty of opposition.
As a self-proclaimed military nerd, Max could rattle off lots of benefits: incentives for performance, clarity in command, easier equivalent communication with outside forces, and so on. In fact, the major military powers in his old world used ranks, and so did the Galactic Republic—and later the Empire.
He hadn't expected Mandalorian warriors to have such resistance to ranks.
Still, it wasn't fatal. Plenty of legendary armies had gone without formal ranks in earlier eras and still rose from weak to strong and seized victory. Max thought this as he organized documents.
The time arrived. Another holo-conference began.
"Greetings, Chief Executive Cloud!"
"Hello, everyone. My 'chief executive' title is mostly nominal—day-to-day work will still be chaired by Deputy Administrator Williams as usual. Administrator Williams, please begin."
"Officer Cloud, colleagues—hello. Today's agenda is to discuss Cloud City's primary development objectives over the next five years and issue specific assignments. This meeting will now begin."
…
"Improve quality of life, raise social development standards, strengthen Cloud City's foundational public infrastructure, and develop public services such as education, science and technology, culture, health, and sports. We must transform Cloud City from a Tibanna gas mining base into a modern city with mining as its pillar industry."
…
"Each department will hold its own sessions, compile requirements in staffing, funding, and equipment, and submit summaries before the end of the year."
…
"The Force is with us. Meeting adjourned!"
After turning off the projector, Max slumped into his seat.
Before all this, he'd hated meetings more than almost anything. Now he had to drag different people into different meetings nonstop—two big ones back-to-back, and later he'd still have to head to the passenger bay to run a smaller one with Christopher and the others.
He opened the mic. "You all talk. I'm going to close my eyes for a minute."
"Copy."
Beep-beep-beep—before his eyes were even fully shut, an incoming holo-call request chimed in the cockpit. Max opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and accepted.
"Manager Cloud, I've got good news. Want to guess what it is?"
"Good afternoon, Lord Fieg. I'm guessing you found a major buyer for Tibanna gas?"
"Correct. The Trade Federation just placed an order with the Fieg Consortium—six hundred thousand tons of liquefied Tibanna gas. You were right: they really are expanding their firepower. I sent one marketing message and they immediately placed the order. Desperate."
It really was good news. Max felt his energy return instantly.
"Your name and the Consortium's reputation across the galaxy are what made that happen. If I'd sent that message, it probably would've been deleted as spam."
"I've forwarded the order documents," Lord Fieg said. "From here on, shipping and payment are on you. This deal shouldn't have problems—but Neimoidians are snakes. Watch for them getting ideas about Cloud City."
"Copy, my lord. I'll assign starfighter escorts and Mandalorian assault teams to convoy security. Neimoidians may be nasty, but they aren't stupid. They'll know how to weigh the risk."
"Manager Cloud—Cloud City is in your hands."
"The Force is with us. You can rest easy."
…
Galactic Standard Year 3, Month 11, Day 16, 12:00.
The small fleet that had departed from Coronet City dropped out of hyperspace near Bespin and set course for Cloud City.
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PS: In Star Wars Legends continuity, Mandalorians possessed large capital ships, including battleships.