A few days ago in Taa Chume's Dan City, the situation grew increasingly tense.
After Taa Chume learned that her younger sister Second Princess Sesia had escaped, the rage in her heart intensified. She knew that Sesayia's escape not only meant she had lost an easy opportunity to eliminate her rival, but it could also throw the entire plan into an uncontrollable situation.
"General Dourde, we must speed up our actions!" Taa Chume paced back and forth in the palace, her eyes revealing anxiety and ruthlessness. "That slut Sesayia will definitely collude with the Mandalorians. Once they unite, our entire plan will be ruined."
General Dourde sat frowning nearby, calculating in his mind.
He had originally thought it was just a simple palace coup, using the power of the Trade Federation to support Taa Chume's ascension, thereby controlling the Hapan Cluster and acquiring its resources and strategic location. But unexpectedly, the Mandalorians appeared out of nowhere and took the Second Princess Sesia, which complicated matters.
"Your Highness, the current situation is indeed unfavorable for us," Dourde said slowly. "However, we must not panic. The Trade Federation's main forces are on their way. Once they arrive, even if the Mandalorians interfere, it will be difficult to stop us."
Dourde was confident; he did not believe Mandalore would dispatch more fleets this time, as they should be concealing their own strength right now.
Taa Chume stopped, glaring at Dourde. "Wait for the main forces to arrive? How long will that take? Sesayia could return with the Mandalorians at any moment. We must strike first!"
Dourde cursed Taa Chume's stupidity internally, but patiently explained on the surface.
"Your Highness, if we act rashly now, we do not have enough troops to deal with potential Mandalorian reinforcements. Furthermore, the loyalty of the Hapan Cluster's internal armies remains questionable. If our operation fails, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Taa Chume sneered, "Loyalty? Those men are merely our servants; dare they rebel? As for the army, once I ascend the throne, who would dare disobey my orders!"
Just then, a maid rushed in, kneeling and trembling as she said, "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence."
Taa Chume's heart tightened. She didn't know why her mother had summoned her at this moment, but at such a critical time, she dared not disobey her mother's order. She could only shoot Dourde a fierce glare.
"Wait here. I will be back soon."
Taa Chume arrived at the Queen's bedchamber and saw her mother, Nickrish, sitting on the high throne, her gaze inscrutable.
"Mother, why have you summoned me?" Taa Chume asked cautiously.
Nickrish slightly narrowed her eyes, looking at her arrogant eldest daughter, wondering why she had ever chosen her as a candidate.
"My dear daughter, I hear you have been getting very close to the people from the Trade Federation recently, and are planning a coup to eliminate Sesayia?"
Taa Chume was startled, not expecting her mother to already know about this, but she quickly composed herself, raising her head as she spoke.
"Mother, Sesayia is ambitious; she wants to seize the throne. I am doing this to protect your rule and the stability of the Hapan Cluster."
Nickrish sneered, "Protecting my rule? You merely want to sit on the throne yourself. Taa Chume, do you think I don't know about your dealings with the Trade Federation? They only want to use you to control the Hapan Cluster and turn us into their vassals."
Taa Chume's expression changed. "Mother, the Trade Federation is a powerful force in the Galaxy. Cooperating with them will allow the Hapan Cluster to gain more resources and protection when we connect with the Galaxy. This can only benefit us."
Nickrish stood up, slowly descending the throne and walking toward Taa Chume.
"Benefit? Taa Chume, you are too naive. The Trade Federation's ambition goes far beyond that. They want the resources of the entire Outer Rim. In their eyes, our Hapan Cluster is nothing more than a piece of fat meat they can plunder at will, especially since we are isolated and backward! Once we lose our usefulness, they will discard us immediately! Don't you understand this?"
Taa Chume bit her lip. Although she felt some wavering, she was still unwilling to abandon her plan. "Mother, what should we do now? Sesayia has already colluded with the Mandalorians. They could return at any time."
A cold light flashed in Nickrish's eyes. "Sesayia and the Mandalorians are indeed a problem, but we cannot rely on the Trade Federation to solve it. The Hapan Cluster has its own strength. We must rely on our own army to protect our homeland."
Just then, a close minister rushed in, kneeling on the ground and reporting.
"Your Majesty the Queen, Your Highness, this is terrible! The Trade Federation's main forces have reached the edge of the Cluster Mist and are advancing toward us!"
Taa Chume's face instantly turned pale. "What? How did they get here so fast!"
Nickrish snorted coldly. "It seems the Trade Federation couldn't wait. They want to take the Hapan Cluster in one fell swoop before we are ready."
Taa Chume said frantically, "Mother, what should we do? We have no chance of winning if we confront the Trade Federation now!"
Nickrish looked at her eldest daughter, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Taa Chume, do you still not understand? The Trade Federation has pushed us to the brink. If we continue to follow their plan, our Hapan Cluster will lose its freedom forever. Now, we can only unite, rely on our own strength, and fight the Trade Federation to the death."
Meanwhile, in space, the Trade Federation's main forces were slowly closing in. General Dourde stood on the command deck of the flagship, looking at the planet gradually coming into view, a smug smile spreading across his face.
"We've finally arrived. The Hapan Cluster will be a crucial, hidden stronghold for our Trade Federation in the Galaxy."
Dourde looked at the planet before him.
Just then, a communications officer ran over. "General, Princess Taa Chume has sent a transmission, asking why we launched the attack early."
Dourde sneered. "Tell her the situation has changed. The Mandalorians have interfered, and we must act quickly to avoid further complications. Instruct her to proceed with the original plan: launch the coup within the city to cooperate with our operation."
The communications officer left with the order. Soon after, Taa Chume's hesitant voice came through the communicator: "General Dourde, Mother already knows our plan, and she opposes cooperating with the Trade Federation. The loyalty of the troops inside the city is unknown now. If we rashly launch a coup, I fear..."
Dourde interrupted impatiently. "Your Highness, this is no time for hesitation. The Mandalorians could arrive with reinforcements at any moment. We must seize control of the Hapan Cluster before they do. You only need to follow my orders. Once we control the situation and you ascend the throne, everything will be fine."
After all, this was closely tied to his own future; he could not afford to fail again!
Taa Chume wanted to say more, but Dourde had already cut the communication.
She stood in the palace, her heart filled with conflict and fear. On one hand, she longed to ascend the throne and realize her ambition; on the other, she feared the Trade Federation's betrayal and was afraid that this war would bring devastating destruction to the Hapan Cluster, leaving her with nothing but a ruined kingdom.
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