1 Month Later
The Imperial forces had managed to secure Nal Hutta and had begun the process of getting rid of the gang presence on the planet. The War Droids had proven effective in urban combat, their programming allowing them to distinguish between combatants and civilians with far greater accuracy than Gen'Dai soldiers in chaotic environments.
Daimon stood on a balcony overlooking Bilbousa, watching as construction crews began dismantling slave pens and converting them into temporary housing. The air still reeked of industrial waste, but teams of environmental engineers were already working on atmospheric processors that would begin the task of cleaning Nal Hutta's poisoned sky.
"The first shipment of medical supplies has arrived from Imperial space," Elara reported, joining him on the balcony. "We've established field hospitals in twelve districts. The malnutrition and disease rates among the former slave populations are worse than initial estimates."
"How bad?"
"Forty percent of children under ten show signs of chronic malnutrition. Preventable diseases are rampant. The Hutts spent nothing on healthcare for their slave populations." Elara was glad that they acted when they did. "We're looking at a humanitarian crisis that will take years to address."
Daimon nodded grimly. "Allocate whatever resources necessary. I want every freed slave to receive medical screening and treatment. This is our priority." Elara nodded. The first step to building up a proper civilization to replace the old one was to ensure that the people were healthy and could produce healthy children.
"What about Nar Shaddaa?" Daimon asked, shifting the conversation to the next pressing issue.
"Still contested," Elara admitted. "We are fighting against two criminal factions who has seized control of the southern districts and industrial sectors. A third faction calling themselves the Liberation Front has emerged in the refugee zones, claiming to represent the freed slaves."
"The Liberation Front," Daimon repeated. "Are they genuine or just another gang wearing a different mask?"
"Intelligence suggests they're legitimate, at least in their origins. Former slaves who armed themselves during the initial chaos. But they're poorly organized and increasingly desperate. Some of their members have begun engaging in the same protection system the old gangs used."
"Then we need to keep a watch on them and ensure they don't become what they are fighting against. Send Lord Maxim with a battalion of Empyrean Guards. I want him to make contact with this Liberation Front, assess their leadership, and determine if they can be integrated into a provisional security force." Daimon ordered, wanting to see what this Liberation Front's true intentions were.
Within a day, Maxim was headed to Nar Shaddaa with a battalion of Empyrean Guards.
———
News of what was happening was slowly reaching the Republic as traders passed through Hutt space. At first, they didn't believe it since the Hutts were a relatively new faction that they encountered. But after the Jedi Order sent their own scouts to the region and returned with confirmed evidence, the Republic Senate had convened an emergency session.
The session started off addressing the matter of the invasion with some suggesting it was good as the Hutts were slavers who were extremely corrupt. However, most agreed that allowing the Imperium to take advantage of this situation to gain more territory was not something that they could allow.
So, a proposal was created and passed within days establishing three Republic Outer Rim Fleets and armies that would go and attack a few of these criminal infested worlds. The public justification that the Republic used was to bring order to the region and help the slaves break free from their masters.
The Jedi High Council, upon hearing of the Senate's decision, immediately volunteered to send several hundred Jedi Knights and Masters to accompany the expeditionary forces.
They wanted to prevent the continuous spread of the Imperial religious doctrine. They saw the people as vulnerable because of their situation, desperate for guidance. And whoever offers them hope first will shape their future for generations.
Within weeks the Republic fleets were almost done gathering at their staging points in the Mid-rim. Each fleet contained 200 ships, 2 Million soldiers, and about 300 Jedi. The Republic military command had also decided to send their best generals and admirals to oversee the operation, wanting to ensure success.
On Coruscant, Chancellor Voryn Thrace addressed the Senate one final time before the fleets departed. "We go not as conquerors, but as liberators. We go to restore order where chaos reigns, to offer freedom where slavery persists, and to demonstrate that the Republic stands for justice throughout the galaxy."
The speech was met with thunderous applause, though several senators from the Core Worlds privately questioned the wisdom of such a massive deployment so far from Republic space. But their concerns were drowned out by the pro-military faction that had gained considerable influence in recent decades.
Within the Jedi Temple on Ossus, the Grandmaster had gathered the Jedi who would be participating in the operation. "You are being sent to a region steeped in darkness and corruption. The people there have known only suffering under Hutt rule. But now they face a new threat, the seductive promises of a false prophet who claims divinity through the Force."
One of the younger Jedi Masters raised his hand. "Master, what are our orders regarding Imperial forces? Are we to engage them directly?"
"Avoid direct confrontation unless absolutely necessary," the Grandmaster replied. "Our mission is to secure the local populations and establish Republic authority. However, if Imperial forces attempt to interfere with our humanitarian efforts, you are authorized to defend yourselves and the people under our protection."
Another Jedi spoke up, concern evident in her voice. "What of the Balance Keepers? Intelligence reports suggest they are already operating across several worlds."
"The Balance Keepers are heretics," the Grandmaster said firmly. "Their philosophy corrupts the true understanding of the Force. You are to oppose their influence wherever you encounter it, through debate, if possible, through action if necessary. The people of these worlds must understand that the Jedi Order represents the true path."
The assembled Jedi bowed in acknowledgment, though several exchanged uncertain glances. The ideological conflict between the Jedi Order and the Balance Keepers had been escalating for centuries, and now it seemed destined to manifest in this contested region of space.
Back in former Hutt space, Daimon received word of the Republic's mobilization within hours of the fleets' departure from their staging areas. He stood in the command center, studying the projected trajectories and estimated arrival times.
"They're moving faster than anticipated," Commodore Kelthar observed. "Three full fleets. That's a significant commitment of resources."
"They see an opportunity," Daimon replied. "The Republic has been looking for ways to expand their influence without directly confronting us. This gives them the perfect excuse."
Daimon wasn't worried about this Republic deployment; in fact it would be interesting to see what's going to happen with so many faction vying for control over what remains of Hutt space. He already secured Nal Hutta and was in the process of securing Nar Shaddaa. Then after that would be the systems surrounding Nal Hutta.
No other planets were not of immediate concern to the Imperium and if the Republic made it to them before he did, he wouldn't be upset.
———
Arriving on Nar Shaddaa, Lord Maxim and his battalion of Empyrean guards were flying above a battle that was taking place between the Liberation Front and the Iron Fang Consortium. He opened the door of the transport and looked down at the battle.
The Liberation Front was on the losing side, and they were being heavily pushed back by the Iron Fang Consortium who had vehicles to support them.
"Deploy ground forces," Maxim ordered through his comm. "Priority targets: Iron Fang vehicles and heavy weapons positions. Minimize collateral damage."
As the transport descended, its doors opened revealing rows of Empyrean Guards standing in formation. Once the ship reached twenty meters above the street, it hovered and the guards activated their jump packs, descending in controlled bursts directly into the battle zone.
Maxim was among the first to land, his boots cracking the pavement beneath him. Around him, his battalion spread out, their vibro-swords already drawn, shields activated.
The Iron Fang mercenaries barely had time to register the new arrivals before the Empyrean Guards crashed into their lines. A tank turned its turret toward the Imperial forces, but Maxim was faster. He crossed the distance in three powerful strides, leaping onto the tank and breaking open the hatch to drop a grenade into the compartment.
Once the crew of the tank saw this, they tried to escape, but there was no way, and after a few seconds an internal explosion could be seen, and the tank was destroyed.
Around him, the other Empyrean Guards were blitzing through the enemy lines. Kinetic weapons were ineffective against their armor and that was what their opponents were using. This allowed them to stick to melee weapons and utterly crush their opponents. The Iron Fang mercenaries attempted to hold out even though they were getting utterly crushed.
Leaving the fighting to the others, Maxim turned around and approached the forces of the Liberation Front who were a little confused by their appearance.
A Twi'lek woman stepped forward from the Liberation Front ranks. She held a battered rifle in one hand, the other raised in a gesture that was half-greeting, half-warning.
"What do you want here Imperial?" she demanded. Most people knew about Daimon and the Imperium, they just didn't know how big it actually was.
"I am Lord Maxim, commander of His Majesty's Empyrean Guard," he replied, removing his helmet so she could see his face. "We're here on behalf of Emperor Daimon to establish contact with your organization."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "The Emperor. We've heard stories. Another tyrant who has come to replace the Hutts."
"If that were true, we would have left you to die," Maxim said bluntly, gesturing to the destroyed Iron Fang positions behind him. "Instead, we intervened. The Emperor wishes to speak with your leadership about the future of Nar Shaddaa."
Behind the Twi'lek, other Liberation Front members were emerging from cover, their weapons still raised but their expressions confused. They were a ragged bunch which consisted of humans, Twi'leks, Nikto, and others, all bearing the marks of former slaves. Scars, brands, and missing limbs that were replaced with crude cybernetics.
"Our leadership?" The woman let out a bitter laugh. "We barely have organization, let alone leadership"
"Then who speaks for you?" Maxim asked. "Someone organized this resistance. Someone coordinated your forces well enough that you've held territory for a month against better-armed opponents."
She hesitated, exchanging glances with several others behind her. Finally, she lowered her rifle slightly. "Korven. He was a foreman under the Hutts, managed to keep most of us alive in the industrial sectors. When the chaos started, he organized the escape."
"Then take me to Korven," Maxim said. "We have much to discuss, and little time before other factions move against you."
As if to emphasize his point, distant explosions echoed across the district. The Twi'lek's jaw tightened as she had no choice. "Follow me. But your soldiers stay here."
Maxim nodded to his second-in-command, who immediately began establishing a defensive perimeter around the Liberation Front's position. Then he followed the Twi'lek woman deeper into the refugee zones, accompanied only by two others.