On Nal Hutta, the entire planet was in an uproar as Daimon had arrived. The people who were once slaves had gathered in front of the newly constructed Imperial Palace in celebration. They were just a small portion of people who were freed by Daimon from slavery and were now active contributors to the Imperium by working and paying taxes.
Though the amount they paid was small since there were still some developments that needed to be made. Princess Luna and Princess Vaelora stood at the entrance to the palace, both dressed in their formal Imperial regalia. Behind them, Lord Maxim and a contingent of Empyrean Guards waited in formation.
When Daimon's transport touched down on the landing platform, Luna approached first as she was the one leading the Imperial government that controlled the region.
"Father," she said, bowing respectfully. "We weren't expecting you to come personally. We thought you'd be preparing for the final offensive against the Republic."
"I wanted to see how things were progressing here," Daimon replied, hugging both his daughters. "And to check on Vaelora after her encounter with Darth Malgus."
Vaelora smiled at the fact that he was worried about her. "I'm fine, Father. Malgus retreated when he realized he couldn't defeat me. The Sith fleet withdrew shortly after, though they maintained orbital bombardment for another day before completely leaving the system."
"He won't make that mistake again," Daimon said. "But he also won't have the chance to. I've dealt with the Sith Empire's leadership. Emperor Vitiate is now under my control, and the Dark Council is being... restructured."
Luna nodded her head. If her father intervened directly then that means the situation is dealt with. And considering how well she knew her father, restructuring was just another way of getting rid of the ones who didn't follow whatever changes were about to be made.
"Darth Marr and Vitiate will handle the implementation of the reforms. Then Sith will become what I originally intended them to be, not the corrupted version of what they are now."
"Mnggal-Mnggal?" Lord Maxim stepped forward, unaware of who this person was. "That's a name I haven't heard of before."
"He's some dark Force entity that existed all the way back since the time of the Celestials. He was thought to be defeated, but it seems like he was just extremely weakened and have spent thousands of years feeding off the dark side until he was recently able to reveal himself and possess Vitiate."
"A being that old would possess knowledge far beyond what most Force users could comprehend," Maxim observed. "Is it truly destroyed, or merely dispersed?"
"Dispersed," Daimon admitted. "Entities like Mnggal-Mnggal don't die easily. It will take time for it to reconstitute itself, possibly decades or even centuries. Though by then, I'll have prepared countermeasures. For now, the immediate threat is neutralized." Daimon gestured toward the palace. "Now, show me what you've accomplished here. I want a full report on the military situation and civilian integration efforts."
They walked through the palace corridors, passing by windows that overlooked the transformed cityscape of Nal Hutta. Where decrepit structures once stood housing slave pens, now construction droids worked tirelessly to build proper residential districts. The transformation was still in its early stages, but the progress was visible. Luna led the way, explaining the current state of affairs.
"We've successfully pacified seventy percent of the former Hutt territories. The remaining systems are either under siege or have been isolated through blockades. Civilian casualties have been kept to a minimum thanks to the protocols you established. Most former slaves have integrated well, though we've had to deal with some criminal elements trying to fill the power vacuum left by the Hutts."
"Expected," Daimon replied. "Crime syndicates always attempt to capitalize on instability. How have you handled them?"
"We've been systematic about it. Any organization engaging in slavery, spice trafficking to minors, or violent crime has been dismantled entirely. Their assets were seized and redistributed through the territory. Those involved in lesser offenses have been offered a choice: legitimate employment under Imperial oversight or life imprisonment." explained Vaelora.
"And the Hutts themselves?"
"The few clan leaders that survived have been relocated to designated worlds under heavy surveillance," Luna answered. "They're stripped of political power but allowed to maintain some commercial operations provided they follow Imperial law. Most have been... cooperative, once they realized that they could make more money through conducting legitimate business."
They entered a command center where holographic displays showed troop movements and supply lines throughout the region. Lord Maxim approached one of the displays, highlighting several systems near the border with Republic space.
"The Republic has been probing our defenses here," he pointed to a cluster of systems. "Nothing major, mostly reconnaissance. My prediction is that they're trying to gauge our strength and find any weaknesses. However, their attacks have decreased significantly in the past month. Intelligence suggests they're pulling forces back to defend the Core Worlds."
"They know what's coming," Daimon observed. "Warmaster Raelos is already advancing toward Brentaal IV. Once that falls, Coruscant itself becomes vulnerable. The Republic leadership isn't stupid; they're consolidating their defenses for a last stand."
"Do you think they'll surrender once Coruscant is threatened?" Luna asked.
"Some will. Others will fight to the bitter end." Daimon looked over the map, specifically at the supply routes and defensive positions. "Chancellor Thrace won't surrender willingly. He's invested too much political capital in this war. His entire faction depends on continued conflict to maintain power. We'll need to be prepared for a prolonged siege."
Though the siege would just be a distraction for Daimon and ground forces to capture Coruscant, the Chancellor, and his administration. Once all those things were completed, then the Republic would be on a timer before the people called for an end to the war.
Daimon stayed and learned of the new developments for another two days before he departed back to Imperial space to join the final stage of the counter assault into Republic space.
———
On the Republic world of Thyferra, Republic trooper Karsant Lyncbig wasn't exactly as excited about the war as he had been in the beginning.
In the beginning he had joined for the promise of adventure and glory. The Republic propaganda had painted the Imperium as tyrants who needed to be stopped, and he'd believed every word of it. Now, two years into the conflict, after watching three-quarters of his original battalion die in meaningless skirmishes, Karsant wasn't sure what he believed anymore.
He sat in the trench on the outskirts of Thyferra's capital, cleaning his blaster rifle for the third time that day. Around him, other soldiers did the same, their faces showing the same exhaustion and doubt that he felt. Nobody talked much anymore. What was there to say?
"Another supply convoy got hit last night," Private Jennek muttered, checking his ammunition count. "That's the fourth one this week. Command says we're on half rations until they can secure the route."
"Command says a lot of things," Sergeant Torval replied bitterly. The old veteran had served for fifteen years and had seen action in a dozen campaigns. "They said this war would be over in six months. They said the Imperium was overstretched and vulnerable. They said reinforcements were coming." He spat on the ground. "All lies."
Karsant wanted to argue, to defend the Republic leadership, but he couldn't find the words. Everything Torval said was true. The promised reinforcements never arrived. The supply lines were constantly under attack. And the Imperium forces they'd faced weren't the disorganized rabble that propaganda had described; they were professional, well-equipped, and absolutely ruthless in combat.
"Did you hear about what happened on Brentaal IV?" another soldier asked quietly. "The entire defensive fleet was destroyed in less than four hours. The Imperials didn't even slow down."
"I heard they've got some kind of superweapon," Jennek whispered. "Something that can destroy entire fleets with a single shot."
"That's just rumors," Torval said, though he wasn't entirely convinced himself. "But what's not a rumor is that Warmaster Raelos is leading the assault personally. That Gen'Dai has never lost a campaign. Ever."
The conversation was interrupted by warning sirens blaring across the base. Karsant grabbed his rifle and rushed to the trench wall, peering out at the sky.
"All units, battle stations!" came the command through their comms. "Imperial forces detected entering the system. Fleet engagement commencing. Ground forces prepare for possible invasion."
Karsant's heart pounded as he watched the sky light up with explosions. This was it. After months of waiting, the Imperium had finally come for Thyferra. He glanced at his fellow soldiers, seeing the same fear reflected in their eyes.
"Listen up!" Sergeant Torval shouted over the sirens. "Whatever happens, we hold this position. We're soldiers of the Republic, and we do our duty. Understood?"
"Yes, Sergeant!" they responded in unison, though the conviction in their voices was not high.
Above them, the orbital defense platforms opened fire on the approaching Imperial fleet. Karsant could see the streaks of turbolaser fire cutting through the atmosphere, but he also saw how quickly those platforms were being destroyed. One by one, massive explosions appeared in orbit as the Imperial fleet dismantled Thyferra's defenses.
"They're not even slowing down," someone whispered behind him.
Karsant tightened his grip on his rifle. He thought about his family back on Coruscant, his mother who had been so proud when he enlisted, his younger sister who wanted to follow in his footsteps. Would he ever see them again?
The ground beneath them trembled as something massive entered the atmosphere. Through the clouds, Karsant could make out the silhouettes of Imperial dropships, thousands of them, descending like a swarm of insects. Behind them came larger vessels, troop carriers and armored transports.
"Here they come!" Torval shouted. "All weapons are free to fire when they're in range!"
The dropships landed approximately two miles from their position, well beyond the effective range of their defensive emplacements. Karsant watched through his scope as the ramps lowered and Imperial soldiers poured out. But these weren't the normal soldiers he'd faced before. These were war droids, thousands upon thousands of them.
"By the Force," Jennek breathed beside him. "There's too many of them."
The droid army advanced in perfect formation, and behind them came actual Imperial soldiers, their black and gold armor shining even in the dim light. Artillery began falling on the Republican positions before the droids even reached weapon range, systematically destroying their heavy weapons and fortifications.
"Return fire! Return fire!" officers screamed along the line.
Karsant aimed at the approaching droids and squeezed the trigger. His shot struck one in the chest, sending it stumbling backward, but three more immediately took its place. All along the trench line, Republic soldiers fired desperately, but it was like trying to hold back an ocean with a bucket.
The first wave of droids reached their position within minutes. Karsant shot two more before one leaped into the trench beside him. He swung his rifle like a club, smashing it across the droid's head, but its metal fist hit him in the ribs, sending him crashing against the trench wall.
Pain exploded through his chest. He struggled to breathe as the droid walked him down, its photoreceptors glowing red in the dim light. This was it. This was how he died, in a muddy trench on a world he'd never heard of before this war, fighting for a cause he no longer believed in.
A lightsaber blade pierced through the droid's chest from behind, its systems failing as the lightsaber was withdrawn. Karsant looked up to see a Jedi Knight standing over him, her green blade drawing his attention. She was young, perhaps only a few years older than him, yet she had determination burning in her eyes.
"Get up, soldier!" she commanded, extending her hand to help him. "We're falling back to secondary positions!"
Karsant grabbed her hand, wincing as the pain spread through his ribs. Around them, the battle had devolved into chaos. Republic soldiers were retreating in disorder, some trying to maintain formation while others simply ran. The Imperial droids pressed forward, their advance only slowed by the handful of Jedi scattered throughout the defensive line.
A/N: Should be back to the regular upload schedule now.
Also if you would like a character of your own added to the story please place them in the comments either a paragraph comment or chapter comments.
Make sure you include the name, backstory, alias/Nickname, position, abilities (If a balance Keeper or other Force User). Your character can be any race that is either in the Republic or Imperium or other factions. But just know that if your character is too powerful, they might get nerfed depending on how powerful they are. Otherwise than that you can make a powerful character.
Your character can be a powerful lord ruling over a planet, an Ascendant, Balance Keeper, regular Imperial soldier, Admiral, General, powerful leader of a corporation, mad scientists, and some preacher from of the holy order. You just can't be a Force Scion or leader of Imperial ministry.