A 50 years . One hundred years of campaigns, conquests, and consolidation. The empire of Julius Braveheart was no longer a project, but a tangible reality spanning dozens of star systems. To maintain the cohesion of his command staff, Julius had used the System to purchase a longevity serum, awarded as the ultimate reward to his officers for their greatest exploits on the battlefield. It was the ultimate gift: additional decades to serve, command, and watch the empire grow.
He had also bolstered his strategic command by acquiring the services of two of the most brilliant tactical minds from a galaxy far, far away: Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose cold genius and study of enemy art had reshaped their military doctrine, and Admiral Gial Ackbar, whose practical sense and cunning had foiled countless traps. Their analytical minds worked in perfect counterpoint to Raynor's frontal bravery and Mengsk's guile.
On the hellish planet of Vorgan Prime, fire and blood flowed freely. Julius stood atop a ridge, observing the theater of operations. His Umoja armor had been modified; on the right shoulder, an eagle of midnight blue beskar was proudly affixed, a symbol of his growing authority. He watched with cold admiration the deployment of his troops and the impeccable work of his personal guard surrounding him, their beskar armor gleaming, impregnable.
He now carried customized weapons: modified lances with Silent Shadow energy points, perfect for close combat and silent assassinations, and a round, sturdy beskar shield, capable of absorbing the heaviest fire.
To equip his shock infantry, the Todd clones, he had purchased from the System the blueprints for the weapons of the Grand Army of the Republic:
· Standard Weapon: The DC-15A blaster rifle spat constant bolts of energy.
· Sidearm: The reliable DC-17 blaster pistol was every soldier's trusted backup.
· Versatile Rifle: The DC-17m interchangeable weapon system equipped commandos, adaptable to all situations.
· Special Weapons: Sniper rifles and specialized weapons for extreme environments completed the arsenal.
In support, Terran troops in their imposing CMC armor advanced like mobile fortresses, their C-14 Impalers roaring.
Suddenly, an enemy tower collapsed in a cloud of dust and plasma, succumbing to the concentrated fire of the Goliaths. The battle had been raging for twelve hours.
"What a waste," Julius murmured, not taking his eyes off the battlefield. "The negotiations failed because of the foolish pride of a decrepit old lord. He dared to want to capture our negotiator and make her his concubine. What madness."
Beside him, Thrawn, arms crossed, observed the patterns of the destruction. "Madness, Lord Braveheart, is often the most predictable flaw. His desire blinded him. He did not see the force that would descend upon him."
Julius shook his head, a mix of contempt and disbelief on his face.
"A war over a woman.Truly, men are mad."
He raised his lightsaber, the blue blade igniting with a characteristic hum.
"Let's finish this.All units, final assault. Spare not the palace. Let us remind this galaxy that an insult to the Legion is always paid for in full."
The Battle of Vorgan Prime would soon be over, and another page in the legend of Julius Braveheart would be written. Not in gold, but in fire and blood.