"Power is not to be shared,
It is to be taken."
Emperor Palpatine
"On Power"
15 Imperial Date
Chapter Ten
The twenty cruisers of Cuatemoc's fleet entered the home system of the Tiberion Pride. Dozens of fighters flitted about the powerful warships as they entered orbit of the harsh planet the Tiberion's called home.
"Sir," one of Cuatemoc's officers reported, "There are seven warships in the system and they are moving to intercept."
Calling up a tactical view Cuatemoc evaluated the forces arrayed against him. The largest ship among them was arrowhead shaped less then a kilometre long, with a dominating "T" shaped tower. A huge antenna like structure jutted out from the tower. The other ships were smaller, with at least two types of vessels represented.
"Can you identify them," Cuatemoc asked.
"They are unlike anything ever encountered before," the officer told him.
"Sir," the comm. officer called, "The enemy force is hailing us. The ship claims to represent something called the galactic empire and they are demanding to know why we are hear."
"Arrogant aren't they," Cuatemoc noted.
Considering how best to respond occupied the next few moments as these "empire" ships continued to draw near. Deciding the direct approach was the best tact he signalled communications to respond.
"This is Fleet Marshal Cuatemoc of the Drago-Kazov Pride," he began, "This star system is under the protection of my government and you are in violation of the sovereign rights of the Tiberion Pride. Withdraw your forces immediately or be destroyed."
A few heartbeats passed as the ships continued to move into weapons range. The Imperial ship began to transmit once more and the communications monitor activated. The image of a greying middle-aged in an olive-grey uniform filled the screen.
"Fleet Marshal," the other spoke, "I apologize for the rash words of my officer earlier. The Empire welcomes you to this system. I am the captain of the Victory-Class Star Destroyer, "Defiance." Sadly your protection of the Tiberion Pride will no longer be required. The Empire will be taking upon itself that duty from now on."
"My government is quite capable of protecting the Tiberion," Cuatemoc told the other, "We do not require any help in meeting our commitments."
Cuatemoc signalled to his weapons officer, these "imperials" would not know what had hit them.
"Open fire," Cuatemoc ordered over the open comm. line.
The Nietzschean fleet began to fire on the Imperial vessels. Long range missiles slammed into the Imperial shields with little result. Cuatemoc noted in surprise that his swift strike was not having the desired results.
"Intensify fire," he ordered.
At the maximum rate of fire the Imperial shields began to strain, the shields on one of the smaller vessels buckled and missiles were now able to tear through the hull of the small cruiser.
"They seem to be retreating," the officer noted.
"Indeed," was Cuatemoc's reply, "Withdraw our ships from this system and prepare a slip courier. I need to consult with the central command."
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The Lusankya exited hyperspace within the "Beachhead" System, also known as the Cheops System to the people of this galaxy. Lord Krell was far too busy to notice, standing watch over the pet project he had begun.
Tables and bio-beds were strewn with Magog, or chucks of Magog. Scientists and biologists, all in Krell's service, were studying the creatures learning all they could from them. Krell summoned one of the scientists who was standing at respectful distance somewhere behind.
"My Lord," the scientist began handing the Dark Lord a datapad, "These creatures have some of the most complex DNA structures we have ever seen. It is almost as though their genetics are comprised of dozens of species forced together by some unnatural means."
Krell studied the results as the nameless scientist continued.
"I believe you will find it of particular interest that the genetic code of at least three of the four primary genetic markers are native to our own galaxy."
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"These Imperial vessels are far more powerful then our own ships," Dylan reported as he stood in front of a tactical display in the office of the First Triumvir, "We will need to mobilize the entire High Guard as well as the member worlds in order to drive them from our territories."
For the first time since Dylan entered the office he looked at the faces of those assembled. Beka stood at the back of the room, near the door offering quiet support. Most of the others were not so supportive.
"Captian," the representative of the Sabra-Jaguar began, "Was the High Guard going to keep us in the dark about this... "transaction" forever. I am not convinced that my Pride will want to support any action under these circumstances."
"I don't see that we have a choice," Dylan told him, "These Imperials are obviously expansionists, they have taken twenty systems already and more will fall."
"We need to fight," Marshall Man Ka-Lupe the Commonwealths new First Triumvir told those gathered there, "The Commonwealth means nothing if we don't stand up and fight when we are being called to action. I'm going to issue an executive order to mobilize the fleet."
"Very well," the Sabra replied, "Let us all hope the Commonwealth survives this."
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The shuttle ride over to the Super Star Destroyer was fairly uneventful yet Luke felt very uneasy. No, not uneasy anxious, something was going to happen, he could feel it. The Lambda shuttle landed in one of the massive hangars of the Imperial vessel. Luke was yanked from his seat by two unsavoury looking Imperial Navy troopers and was forced down the ramp and onto the hangar deck. Luke noticed that for the first time since arriving in this galaxy Artoo-Detoo was with him. Obviously they planned on "torturing" the little robot too.
It took some time to cross the massive hangar and they had only completed half the journey when Luke noticed an odd looking vessel parked in the middle of the deck. For some reason it reminded Luke of the Millennium Falcon though it looked nothing like her, though they were perhaps equally dilapidated.
"Look, its on the ship OK," an odd looking and obviously tired young man in a colourful but torn shirt cried, "I need it to get the quinterflop unit to align properly or it will never work."
It was obvious to Luke that this man was not so much being escorted as guarded as the two groups approached each other. Luke could now see that the man had been beaten and tortured and he felt a strange prompting in his mind.
Focusing his thoughts Luke examined the prompting and he could now hear a voice calling out in his mind. The voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Luke, you must save him. It is your only hope."
Feeling the truth in old Ben's words Luke tapped his nose in the signal he had prearranged with Artoo. A small panel opened on top of Artoo's dome opened, concealing Luke's lightsaber. The lightsaber popped out of Artoo's compartment and into Luke's hand just as the other group began to pass.
Luke activated the lightsaber cutting down his own guards first then dispatching the other man's guards soon after, the blue blade easily cutting through the Imperial armour.
"Let's get out of here," Luke cried as poorly aimed blaster fire started to track in their direction.
The other man did not argue, he simply ran for the craft Luke had noticed earlier. Luke followed close behind doing his best to avoid getting shot, blaster bolts were harder to dodge then remotes.
Boarding the craft quickly Luke managed to seal the doors behind him as blaster fire began to pound against the hull. Luke ran to the cockpit of the ship to find the other man already sitting in the pilot seat and prepping the ship for launch.
"You better hold on to something," he said as he began move the ship forward toward the magnetic shield and the hangar's entrance. The ship blasted out into space and seemed to accelerate at a fantastic pace. Turbolaser bolts began flying through space around them and yet they somehow managed to avoid being hit.
Within seconds the strange ship was out of range.
"Prepare for slipstream," the young man called.
"Slipwhat," Luke returned as the ship shook violently as it entered the slipstream.
"Who are you," Luke asked.
"The name is Harper," he replied, "Seamus Harper. Thanks for saving my but back there."
"Your welcome," Luke replied, "I'm Luke Skywalker."