Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hidden Emperor. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own Star Wars; Lucas Arts and a few others do.

(2BBY)

Brasam hadn't seen Vengeance when the ship started its assault on the 2 Arquiten-Class Command Cruisers. He knew the ship had caught the 2 cruisers off guard.

That? Coupled with the sudden assault of his TIEs and the smooth capture of the Gozanti Freighter? The assault was over as soon as it began. Casualties were mostly on the imperial side… Brasam wished that he didn't have to kill Imperials. He mourned the loss of life.

Brasam assigned most of his men to watch over the remaining soldiers and crews.

"We will need more men and soldiers." Lantre pointed out as Brasam looked out the bridge window. "Whatever plan you can imagine? It will not…" Lantre pointed as Brasam turned and looked to the captain.

"What we stole is part of my plan." Brasam stated as he crossed his arms. "Do you know what was aboard that ship besides credits and fuel?" Brasam questioned and hummed before he looked to the side.

Brasam hadn't targeted the convoy just for money and fuel. Though he'd need both… The convoy carried infiltration droids, E-XD series. Brasam planned to use at least 1 to obtain a Star Destroyer.

However? He also wanted to crew one, which led to a deal with Kamino. One which he hadn't fully ironed out yet.

However? There were more pressing issues then growing his army… Namely surviving long enough to see the Sovereignty he wished to grow survive and rule.

"How long till the arrival at Florrum?" Brasam asked with crossed arms. "We have to set to work capturing territory and building from the shadows… And it wont be long till the empire questions where the convoy went." Brasam pointed out as he leaned his weapon on his shoulder.

Brasam knew the Rebellion would be hunting them sooner or later. He was not worried about insurgents smashing into the empire. Brasam didn't plan to stroke their ire and get them after us.

"And when we're done?" Brasam heard which caused him to turn and look at the captain.

"Then we make another strike at the empire." Brasam stated before he continued towards the holotable. "And we round up more people willing to join. There are plenty of people willing to serve for credits… But I'm not going to throw lives away to fight the war with the empire." Brasam stated as he cracked his fingers to himself.

Brasam had no intention of throwing lives away to preserve his own. That was not how he wished to run the Scarlet Sovereignty. He wasn't a monster, nor a despot. This was not the type of leader he'd be when it came down to it. This was not going to be the type of ruler that he was.

"This isn't going to be easy." Brasam pointed out to the rest of the crew. "But you know I have a plan. I planned out the next part of this war. We've won the battle and the spoils are ours… But we need to go into hiding for now. Buildup, make sure our forces are ready when they come to hunt us." Brasam pointed out as he turned to the side.

"I've heard from one of the contacts." Brasam heard from Lantre as the captain brushed dust off the holoprojector. "But I don't see how droids are going to help… It will take a week for them to make the delivery." Lantre heard as he turned to look to the side.

Brasam closed his eyes under his helmet. He knew for a fact that the fact that droids would be needed for the war. Brasam would march the droids into an Imperial base. He needed soldiers to hold against the empire. He needed food, fuel and supplies to fight off the empire.

For now? He'd allow the empire to continue fighting the empire. He couldn't fight them directly and allow them to brawl with the rebels at the moment. He needed to keep his head down, look after his people and make sure.

He couldn't such wait for anything at the moment. It showed a massive lack of ruthless ambition that would cause the empire to rip them apart once more.

Still? He'd not let them hurt his people and this the stuff under his command. He needed to make sure that he survived. That the people under his care survived until later.

"Ugh, this is going to be a long war sadly." Brasam stated once more as he continued to think.

There would be time for war later. For now? His greatest move was to survive and continue to take hold in the empire. He would cut them apart slowly, take them apart and absorb them into the kingdom he controlled.

All Brasam wanted was to keep his life once more. Brasam continued to think of what would happen next once more.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that the next chapter will be delayed… As for the reviewer who called me mentally damaged? I don't know why you want to hurt everyone, but I don't much care. I have no reason to and I care about my readers. Anyway. Next chapter will be in 2-12 weeks and will show Brasam's next move.