"All proper Governments should
avoid war at all costs.
If war should come all proper
Governments should fight
tyranny at all costs."
Mon Mothma
"The Actions of a Proper Government"
5 Pre-Empire Date
Chapter Eight
Six might Imperial Star Destroyers orbited the planet Kafreion and rained fire down on its brown hued landscape. Four of the planets major cities had been burned to the ground, millions had died in the initial moments of the bombardment.
"Prepare troops for ground deployment," Lt. Cdr. Kelar ordered, "All landing barges are to proceed to the planet immediately."
The Magog who had struck this system only a few weeks before had done an efficient job of destroying Kafreion's orbital defences, the Imperial bombardment had finished of any serious chance of a ground battle. The Kafreion system for all intents and purposes had fallen.
Captain Meduk surveyed the battle from the forward viewports on the bridge. Though she was technically in command of the mission she had taken no genuine role in accomplishing it. She simply stood watching the slaughter unfold.
Kelar received a report from the surface and he downloaded it to a datapad. Walking across the observation platform that crossed over the crew pits he came up behind his Captain.
"The first ground units are in position," he reported, "They have meet no resistance from the native population. General Prinster reports that he will be in full control of the planet within the next twelve hours."
"Our first conquest is nearly complete then," Meduk replied quietly, "I suppose celebration is in order. Perhaps we should consider executing the entire population as a sacrifice to the glory of the Emperor."
Kelar stepped closer to his commander and whispered in her ear, "One must be careful what she says on the bridge of a Imperial Star Destroyer. One can never know who is listening."
Meduk nodded in reply.
"Carry on Commander," she said, "Let's get this mission over with."
_____________________
A thirty year old nondescript looking bulk freighter passed silently through the void of space. Thousands of similar ships plied the spaceways of the galaxy bring goods to trade on distant worlds. This old freighter however was quite different, it housed a command ship for the Rebel fleet.
"Welcome aboard the Restoration, Commander," the Twi'lek Captian of the ship said, "We've been expecting you. I'm afraid you'll have no time to change out of your flight suit, the meeting has already begun."
Handing his helmet to one of the techs standing nearby the young Commander followed the Twi'lek to this ships conference room where a half dozen people waited for him.
"Commander Skywalker," the large fish-like creature, a Mon Calmarian perhaps said, "I am Cdr. Ackbar. Please be seated."
Luke took his seat and for the first time realized that Princess Leia was also in the room. For a brief moment he lost all focus as Ackbar began his debriefing.
The odd look Leia gave him however was enough to send him blushing back into the real world.
"...Our spies within the Penoria system have discovered that the Empire have been undergoing some strange and impressive research. We believe that they have found a way to travel to another galaxy instantly."
Across the table Leia gasped in surprise but now Ackbar had Luke's full attention.
"We need to know what the Empire is doing in this other galaxy, and shut down any operations they have under way there."
Luke studied the tactical data in front of him searching for some clue as to why he would have been called into this room. Finally he had it.
"A small one man fighter with a determined pilot could in theory slip through the Imperial defences and travel to this new galaxy."
"Exactly Commander," Ackbar revealed, "We would like you to be that determined pilot."
"I have a bad feeling about this Luke," Leia told him when he could finally spend a moment alone with her, "I don't think you should go."
Luke smiled faintly at the beautiful princess, he had loved her since the first time he had meet her.
"I have to go Your Highness," he said clumsily, "There is something out there I need to do. Something important, I can feel it. Beside that, if the Empire is travelling to another galaxy we need to be there too."
"Commander Skywalker," a voice from Luke's comlink spoke, "Your snubfighter is ready. Please prepare to depart."
"I have to go," he told her.
"I know," she replied.
He smiled once more at her and departed for the hangar.
____________________
"Awww," Harper cried out in pain as he was lowered toward the heavily charged and extremely hot metal plate, "I don't know anything, please let me go."
"Mr. Harper, I can sense that you are lying," Krell told him softly, "You see I have some very special powers and if you do not tell me what I want to know this device will seem like paradise to you."
"I've been tortured by Nietzscheans and infested by Magog," Harper sneered through the pain, "Do your worst."
Krell grabbed the back of Harper's head and began to squeeze sending tendrils of Force power into his mind. Harper screamed as every one of his sensory nerves became active. Such pain he had never known is his entire life.
The pain passed, Harper opened his eyes, not remembering when he had shut them. Krell had released his grip but Harper could still feel him.
"Tell me everything," Krell demanded.
"The Commonwealth only has about one hundred member worlds," Harper began as he resigned himself to the pain, "Three hundred years ago the old Commonwealth fell and we just restored it a few months ago."
Faced with the enormous pain of both the torture device and Krell's strange powers Harper told him of the fall of the Commonwealth, the collapse of the Nietzschean empire, the Than and of a half dozen other races.
"Who is the greatest power in the 'known worlds,'" Krell demanded.
"The Drago-Kazov Pride," Harper told him, "The largest Nietzchean Pride."
"Mr. Harper, you have been a great help," Krell offered cordially, "You are dismissed."
Harper was dragged from the torture chamber grateful for the release. It was not long before he realized that he was not being taken back to his cell. Rather the Stormtroopers were taking him down to the hangar bays, back to the Running.
"No, no, no, no," he cried struggling against his captures, "Bring me to my cell please, I need some rest or something."
"Your work shift started twenty minutes ago," on of the troopers told him gruffly, "you'll be lucky if your supervisor doesn't beat you."
Not long after Harper lay on the deck of the Running, struggling to work on the ship and avoid another beating.
_________________
Captain Dylan Hunt stood at his station on the Command Deck of the Andromeda Ascendant wearing a newly pressed black combat uniform. For the first time since taking on new crew Command was a bustle of activity as preparations were being completed.
A tactical display on one of Andromeda's forward screens displayed the High Guard battle group as it readied itself for combat. Twenty-two capital appeared on that screen along with over a dozen support ships. Leading the fleet were the Andromeda Ascendant and the Wrath of Achilles, the most powerful ship in the High Guard.
The Achilles was a Siege Perilous-Class, Deep Stand-Off attack ship, designed as a starship killer by the High Guard before the fall of the Commonwealth three hundred years ago.
"All ships have reported in Captain," Trance said as she handed him a flexi containing the fleet stats. Dylan examined the report on the paper thin data screen and signed off on it.
"Beka," Dylan began, "Is my flagship ready?"
"The Andromeda Ascendant is fully at your command," she replied formally from the pilot's station.
"All ships prepare for slipstream," Dylan ordered, "Let's bring it."
Only a few moments later the High Guard had arrived in the Cheops system and were heading for battle with the waiting Imperial ships.
"Remember," Dylan called out to his fleet, "they already know we are here, be careful and prepared for any surprises. Launch all sensor drones."
A few moments passed as data from the drones began to filter back to High Guard forces. The data, now a few minutes old due to the time lag, showed the Imperial ships begin to angle in for attack and the defence stations begin to launch TIE fighters.
"Have all ships maintain a range of one light minute from the Imperial forces," Dylan ordered, "That should keep us out of the effective range of their weapons."
A brilliant flash directly in front of the Andromeda interrupted any further orders as Imperial warships began to micro-jump from their positions deeper within the system. Now only a handful of light seconds away the Imperials began to open fire.
The Imperial Star Destroyer that had jumped in front of Andromeda received a furious barrage of kinetic missiles from Andromeda as she dived beneath the larger vessel to avoid a collision and the massed fire it produced.
Six Pride of Kaldera-Class defence frigates were not so lucky. The 'Stalwart Defender' and the 'Pathfinder True' fell in the opening barrage, the 'Improbable Victory' crashed into an enemy cruiser destroying both craft. The others were lost in the next few moments as the Imperials began to find their marks.
The Wrath of Achilles ignoring the battle around him opened fire on the nearest Star Destroyer with everything he had. The shields of the Star Destroyer lasted eight seconds.. nine.. now ten seconds without buckling as hundreds of missiles struck home. Finally the shields wavered and the Imperial vessel began to take damage.
"This isn't going well," Dylan commented through clenched teeth. Dylan watched in horror as the Honour in Victory took hit after hit and finally exploded violently.
"This is Captian Dylan Hunt," he called to all ships, "All craft prepare to retreat."