BACKGROUND: After ROTJ, the battle-scarred remnants of the Imperial Navy
watch in horror as the New Republic reclaims worlds once under the heel of
the Empire. In the ranks of the Empire, there are those who want nothing
less than to seize the Empire's glory for themselves. General Veers, the
professional soldier and consummate tactician, must struggle to preserve
what countless stormtroopers and pilots died to forge -- an Empire that
stood for order. This is his story ... and that of the Empire's surviving
rank-and-file.
PROLOGUE:
[On the Imperial Navy command ship, the 'Vindicator']
The logistics officer ran into the bridge room. "Captain, Captain!!"
Captain Tenvor. "Lieutenant, I'm very busy" Two dozen TIE fighters swarmed ahead of them. "Rebellions are breaking out throughout the sector. The rebels are using the battle in Endor to instigate sedition throughout our territories."
The lieutenant caught his breath. "It's Jerjerrod. His last report said the rebels brought down the defense shield generator. The Death Star is vulnerable!!"
"I'm afraid that was his LAST transmission," a voice uttered from the rear. The officers on the bridge turned around. The voice spoke with authority. And one not to be questioned.
Captain Tenvor turned around. "News from the front, General Veers??"
Veers delivered the news with clinical objectivity. "Emperor Palpatine is dead. Lord Vader, by all reports, is also dead." A few officers gasped, while others cursed under their breaths.
"And ... the Death Star??" Captain Tenvor hoped. If the Death Star could hang on for a few more hours, we could mass the largest naval operation in the sector. We could force the rebels to withdraw from Endor. Buy the Empire time to regroup.
Veers took off his hat. "Two vessels, an X-Wing fighter and the Millennium Falcon, penetrated the space station's outer defenses. It is lost."
The lieutenant interrupted. "We've been trying to contact the flagship, Executor. No response."
Veers cleared his throat. "It suffered critical damage – before it collided into the Death Star. All hands are lost."
The junior officers began calling for revenge. "We strike now!" "It's up to the Navy to bring about the Rebellion's fall!" "Long live the Empire!"
Captain Tenvor knew some action must be taken. But he had limited combat experience. He merely enforced trade embargoes against planets allied with the rebels. All eyes looked to the general who soundly defeated Princess Leia's forces on Hoth.
Veers stepped up to the centre of the bridge deck, flanked by officers, a few TIE pilots and stormtroopers.
"With the loss of the Emperor and Lord Vader, we no longer have a viable command structure. If the regional governors choose not to resist the – New Republic ..." Veers winced at the sound of those words. "...they would surely sue for peace! We cannot risk fomenting resistance on those planets. In the eyes of the Rebel Alliance, we are the revolutionaries now."
Veers walked along a line of stormtroopers, conducting what seemed to be a fruitless inspection.
"To launch a counterattack now ... would be folly. Suicide. The Rebellion is already moving to reclaim our shipyards and strategic bases. With the loss of the Death Star, this battle is sadly lost." The officers and troops joined in a chorus of boos. Veers held up a hand to silence them.
"The war, however, continues. We shall press on. Without the Empire, the multitude of worlds and species will return to their petty squabbles and vendettas. Mark my words, this democratic 'rebellion' will plunge the galaxy into turmoil and constant bloodshed. The Empire brought a purity of purpose. That is order. Yes, they feared our power. That is true. What those countless worlds feared was our dedication to our goals. The Emperor and Lord Vader used the Force to bring about the glory of this Empire. But they, too, were men. Men like us – with weaknesses. They lost focus, risking all we've fought for ... died for ... to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side. The fatal mistake was their willingness to place their faith in that Jedi."
Veers looked at a monitor, listing the loss of ships, casualties and bases.
"Coruscant's governor had now yielded the city to New Republic forces," the lieutenant blurted out.
I have to maintain the momentum, Veers told himself, or their will to fight will crumble away in the wind like the dunes of Tatooine.
"It's up to us to continue the pursuit. The pursuit for order." He looked at Captain Tenvor, who finally realized that he had essentially become admiral of the remaining Imperial naval forces. "I know some of you have not tasted battle ... or lack field experience." Veers watched as another squadron of TIE fighters shrieked away from the ship.
"You shall taste battle today. Tomorrow. Every day, until we reclaim the Galactic Empire. Now – NOW is the time to act. Will you choose to fight for order in this galaxy? Or will you watch in vain ... as Skywalker, the bounty hunters and space pirates shred the Empire piecemeal?!" A thunderous NO and applause.
Captain Tenvor, swept up in the patriotic flurry, seized the moment. "We have enough officers aboard to form a provisional Imperial Council." He looked across at the few remaining naval, military and intelligence officers on deck. "I am prepared to place the Imperial Fleet at the disposal of General Veers in whatever endeavour he pursues."
Another commander stepped up. "I place the Imperial Garrison of Cloud City at the disposal of General Veers!"
A TIE pilot removed his helmet. "I pledge my TIE fighter squadron to the cause of the Empire!"
Cheers of 'Long live the Empire' roared throughout the bridge. Stormtroopers raised their rifles in support.
Veers placed a command card before the officers. "I give you the command codes to the Imperial Armoury and Munitions base on Hoth, to be used for our cause."
An eager intelligence officer proclaimed: "I propose that we bestow the rank of Grand Moff to General Veers, as we are agreed that he is the man to lead us to victory!" Many rallied in support, but the call was far from unanimous.
Veers did not trust intelligence officers. They valued political machinations ahead of the purity of warfare. He waved in resistance to this proposal.
"No, no, I must insist – I cannot accept even a temporary political title. I am neither a statesman, nor a diplomat ..."
He put on his hat, straightened his uniform and tightened his gloves – the gloves he wore at the Battle of Hoth.
"I am a soldier, nothing more. I would rather serve as a general, than rule as a viceroy." The crowd cheered loudly. Captain Tenvor nodded, knowing Veers was the man to restore the Empire.
"Captain Tenvor?"
"Yes?"
"There are a half-dozen Star Destroyers in the Tatooine sector who request a rendezvous. Your instructions?"
Veers took off a bar from his rank insignia and placed it on Tenvor. "Tell their captains that ADMIRAL Tenvor is now commanding the Imperial Navy, by executive order of our Imperial Council. The Emperor is dead. If they wish to join our struggle, send them my regards. I will see them in person."
"And should they wish to surrender to the Rebel Alliance?"
Veers clutched his fist. "Tell them we will direct the Vindicator to intercept them. And destroy them! They know the penalty for treason. If they choose to be rebels, I shall treat them as such."
The bridge became a flurry of activity as pilots reported to their ready stations, officers scurried to their monitors and stormtroopers marched down hallways.
Veers had reviewed Captain Tenvor's personnel files. He could be trusted. The intelligence officers – mumbling to themselves – could not.
"You see those officers?" Veers whispered to Tenvor. Tenvor nodded. "How many of them do you know?"
"I know Lieutenant Reksil. We were in the Academy together. He's personally loyal to me," Tenvor replied, "Commander Burvik defied Lord Vader and sent reinforcements to rescue a squadron of my troops. He too can be trusted."
"And the others?" Veers looked at two officers in particular, chatting with a stormtrooper commander.
"I'm not familiar with them," Tenvor replied. "I believe they arrived on a shuttle directly from Coruscant, when the Imperial governor declared a state of emergency."
"Keep an eye on them. Can I count on your support should the need arise?"
"Yes, General." Tenvor replied. Veers nodded in agreement and walked to the command room. The Empire's new war had barely begun – and already there were traitors scheming to hasten its collapse.
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: I welcome any comments on this introduction to my story. It will be Imperial-focused, with appearances – at some point – of Han, Luke, Leia and the regulars. I won't be relying on any of the post-ROTJ novels that are out there.]
PROLOGUE:
[On the Imperial Navy command ship, the 'Vindicator']
The logistics officer ran into the bridge room. "Captain, Captain!!"
Captain Tenvor. "Lieutenant, I'm very busy" Two dozen TIE fighters swarmed ahead of them. "Rebellions are breaking out throughout the sector. The rebels are using the battle in Endor to instigate sedition throughout our territories."
The lieutenant caught his breath. "It's Jerjerrod. His last report said the rebels brought down the defense shield generator. The Death Star is vulnerable!!"
"I'm afraid that was his LAST transmission," a voice uttered from the rear. The officers on the bridge turned around. The voice spoke with authority. And one not to be questioned.
Captain Tenvor turned around. "News from the front, General Veers??"
Veers delivered the news with clinical objectivity. "Emperor Palpatine is dead. Lord Vader, by all reports, is also dead." A few officers gasped, while others cursed under their breaths.
"And ... the Death Star??" Captain Tenvor hoped. If the Death Star could hang on for a few more hours, we could mass the largest naval operation in the sector. We could force the rebels to withdraw from Endor. Buy the Empire time to regroup.
Veers took off his hat. "Two vessels, an X-Wing fighter and the Millennium Falcon, penetrated the space station's outer defenses. It is lost."
The lieutenant interrupted. "We've been trying to contact the flagship, Executor. No response."
Veers cleared his throat. "It suffered critical damage – before it collided into the Death Star. All hands are lost."
The junior officers began calling for revenge. "We strike now!" "It's up to the Navy to bring about the Rebellion's fall!" "Long live the Empire!"
Captain Tenvor knew some action must be taken. But he had limited combat experience. He merely enforced trade embargoes against planets allied with the rebels. All eyes looked to the general who soundly defeated Princess Leia's forces on Hoth.
Veers stepped up to the centre of the bridge deck, flanked by officers, a few TIE pilots and stormtroopers.
"With the loss of the Emperor and Lord Vader, we no longer have a viable command structure. If the regional governors choose not to resist the – New Republic ..." Veers winced at the sound of those words. "...they would surely sue for peace! We cannot risk fomenting resistance on those planets. In the eyes of the Rebel Alliance, we are the revolutionaries now."
Veers walked along a line of stormtroopers, conducting what seemed to be a fruitless inspection.
"To launch a counterattack now ... would be folly. Suicide. The Rebellion is already moving to reclaim our shipyards and strategic bases. With the loss of the Death Star, this battle is sadly lost." The officers and troops joined in a chorus of boos. Veers held up a hand to silence them.
"The war, however, continues. We shall press on. Without the Empire, the multitude of worlds and species will return to their petty squabbles and vendettas. Mark my words, this democratic 'rebellion' will plunge the galaxy into turmoil and constant bloodshed. The Empire brought a purity of purpose. That is order. Yes, they feared our power. That is true. What those countless worlds feared was our dedication to our goals. The Emperor and Lord Vader used the Force to bring about the glory of this Empire. But they, too, were men. Men like us – with weaknesses. They lost focus, risking all we've fought for ... died for ... to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side. The fatal mistake was their willingness to place their faith in that Jedi."
Veers looked at a monitor, listing the loss of ships, casualties and bases.
"Coruscant's governor had now yielded the city to New Republic forces," the lieutenant blurted out.
I have to maintain the momentum, Veers told himself, or their will to fight will crumble away in the wind like the dunes of Tatooine.
"It's up to us to continue the pursuit. The pursuit for order." He looked at Captain Tenvor, who finally realized that he had essentially become admiral of the remaining Imperial naval forces. "I know some of you have not tasted battle ... or lack field experience." Veers watched as another squadron of TIE fighters shrieked away from the ship.
"You shall taste battle today. Tomorrow. Every day, until we reclaim the Galactic Empire. Now – NOW is the time to act. Will you choose to fight for order in this galaxy? Or will you watch in vain ... as Skywalker, the bounty hunters and space pirates shred the Empire piecemeal?!" A thunderous NO and applause.
Captain Tenvor, swept up in the patriotic flurry, seized the moment. "We have enough officers aboard to form a provisional Imperial Council." He looked across at the few remaining naval, military and intelligence officers on deck. "I am prepared to place the Imperial Fleet at the disposal of General Veers in whatever endeavour he pursues."
Another commander stepped up. "I place the Imperial Garrison of Cloud City at the disposal of General Veers!"
A TIE pilot removed his helmet. "I pledge my TIE fighter squadron to the cause of the Empire!"
Cheers of 'Long live the Empire' roared throughout the bridge. Stormtroopers raised their rifles in support.
Veers placed a command card before the officers. "I give you the command codes to the Imperial Armoury and Munitions base on Hoth, to be used for our cause."
An eager intelligence officer proclaimed: "I propose that we bestow the rank of Grand Moff to General Veers, as we are agreed that he is the man to lead us to victory!" Many rallied in support, but the call was far from unanimous.
Veers did not trust intelligence officers. They valued political machinations ahead of the purity of warfare. He waved in resistance to this proposal.
"No, no, I must insist – I cannot accept even a temporary political title. I am neither a statesman, nor a diplomat ..."
He put on his hat, straightened his uniform and tightened his gloves – the gloves he wore at the Battle of Hoth.
"I am a soldier, nothing more. I would rather serve as a general, than rule as a viceroy." The crowd cheered loudly. Captain Tenvor nodded, knowing Veers was the man to restore the Empire.
"Captain Tenvor?"
"Yes?"
"There are a half-dozen Star Destroyers in the Tatooine sector who request a rendezvous. Your instructions?"
Veers took off a bar from his rank insignia and placed it on Tenvor. "Tell their captains that ADMIRAL Tenvor is now commanding the Imperial Navy, by executive order of our Imperial Council. The Emperor is dead. If they wish to join our struggle, send them my regards. I will see them in person."
"And should they wish to surrender to the Rebel Alliance?"
Veers clutched his fist. "Tell them we will direct the Vindicator to intercept them. And destroy them! They know the penalty for treason. If they choose to be rebels, I shall treat them as such."
The bridge became a flurry of activity as pilots reported to their ready stations, officers scurried to their monitors and stormtroopers marched down hallways.
Veers had reviewed Captain Tenvor's personnel files. He could be trusted. The intelligence officers – mumbling to themselves – could not.
"You see those officers?" Veers whispered to Tenvor. Tenvor nodded. "How many of them do you know?"
"I know Lieutenant Reksil. We were in the Academy together. He's personally loyal to me," Tenvor replied, "Commander Burvik defied Lord Vader and sent reinforcements to rescue a squadron of my troops. He too can be trusted."
"And the others?" Veers looked at two officers in particular, chatting with a stormtrooper commander.
"I'm not familiar with them," Tenvor replied. "I believe they arrived on a shuttle directly from Coruscant, when the Imperial governor declared a state of emergency."
"Keep an eye on them. Can I count on your support should the need arise?"
"Yes, General." Tenvor replied. Veers nodded in agreement and walked to the command room. The Empire's new war had barely begun – and already there were traitors scheming to hasten its collapse.
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: I welcome any comments on this introduction to my story. It will be Imperial-focused, with appearances – at some point – of Han, Luke, Leia and the regulars. I won't be relying on any of the post-ROTJ novels that are out there.]