17. A New Empire Begins
"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." Winston Churchill
The Gathering
With the former Rebel Alliance members now either retired or being integrated into the fleet commanded by Admiral Antilles, who has decided to stay on and become part of the Imperial Military to fight the aliens. Admiral Antilles retains command of the Lusankya (that is being repaired and updated), along with the other warships of what once was the Rebel Alliance Fleet.
Onboard the Night Hammer Grand Admiral Teshik along with Grand Admiral Thrawn were waiting for the former leaders of the New Republic to arrive, it had been a year since the New Republic had surrendered to the Empire, or rather to Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik. Teshik had kept his word, in that all members of the former New Republic that had turned themselves in word be given a full pardon and set free.
Now all that remained to deal with was the external alien threat that Grand Admiral Thrawn has discovered when exploring the Unknown Regions many decades ago.
Both Teshik and Thrawn are standing looking out of the main bridge windows at the expanse of the Night Hammers hull while waiting for Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princes Leia, Maria Jade and Admiral Antilles along with several other members of the former New Republic government and military.
Also on the bridge is Jaalib Brandl who has come along for the ride and too see the expressions on the former New Republic government and military when Teshik reveals the extra galactic threat to this galaxy.
Once, the former members of the New Republic's government and military where gathered on the bridge, Teshik says, "We will be making a short jump into hyperspace, it will only take a few minutes to reach our destination." Before anyone can say anything Teshik raises his hand and continues, "That answers to all your questions will be answered at the end of our short journey."
With only the slightest of gestures at Captain Frisk, Captain Frisk says, "Jump the ship into hyperspace to the pre-determined coordinates."
The Night Hammer jumps smoothly into hyperspace, the former members of the New Republic's government and military each exchange glances wondering, where they are going and what Grand Admiral Teshik is up to, Teshik is not saying anything.
Rendezvous Point
As the Night Hammer dropped out of hyperspace, the former members of the New Republic's government and military are looking out of the main bridge windows, they can see four large warships ahead of them.
Admiral Antilles glancing across at Grand Admiral Teshik, who is looking at the former members of the New Republic's government and military, Teshik nods at Admiral Antilles, who walks over to Grand Admiral Teshik and asks, "Sir what class are those warships, they seem familiar."
Grand Admiral Teshik in a perfectly neutral tone replies, "To answer your question Admiral Antilles, they are Sovereign class star dreadnoughts."
Admiral Antilles says, "I thought that they were destroyed when Byss was destroyed?"
Teshik replies, "No they were not, prior to the destruction of Byss the Emperor ordered that those four Sovereign class star dreadnoughts be transferred to my command, to be completed at a secret location, known only to me."
Admiral Antilles says nothing in reply, as he suddenly realises that the now dead Emperor had been doing some long term panning again. These four Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts in the hands of a Grand Admiral, makes Admiral Antilles shiver.
Admiral Antilles turns to look out at the four Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts, as the Night Hammer approaches them.
Sovereign class Star Dreadnought
The 15-kilometer-long Sovereign class Star Dreadnought is one of the largest Imperial warship designs, surpassed only by the Eclipse class Star Dreadnought and Executor class Star Dreadnought.
The Sovereign class was essentially a smaller cousin to the Eclipse class design, with fewer weapons, a slower hyperdrive, and a smaller complement of starfighters and crew. Nevertheless, the Sovereign class ships were vastly larger than almost any other warships they might encounter, and designed to instil fear in any enemies of the Empire.
These Star Dreadnoughts boast 500 heavy turbolaser cannons, 500 turbolaser batteries, 75 ion cannons, 100 tractor beam projectors, and 5 gravity well projectors. They are equipped with an axial superlaser designed to devastate a world, penetrating even the strongest planetary shields.
The Sovereign class needed 605,745 individuals to crew each vessel.
Many Sovereigns were planned, with the first, Sovereign, undergoing construction at the time of the first defeat of the resurrected Emperor, this first ship along with the three other under construction were thought to be destroyed. When Byss was destroyed but this was not the case these first four Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts were shipped to Teshik base in the Unknown Regions so that they can be finished, this was by the late Emperors order.
The first four Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts were originally named Sovereign, Autarch, Heresiarch, and Despot. Teshik has changed the last three names to the Monarch, Emperor and King, as Teshik did not care for the original names.
Sovereign
Once, Teshik had transferred to the Sovereign from the Night Hammer along with the former members of the New Republic's government and military. Thrawn then transferred to the Monarch, this would become Thrawn's new flagship, just as the Sovereign would become Teshik's new command ship.
Once the Night Hammer is on a parallel course with the Sovereign, Teshik indicates that they will be transferring to the Sovereign, with the exception of Thrawn who will transfer over to the Monarch.
Teshik and Captain Frisk will travel in separate shuttles over to the Sovereign it will also take two shuttles to transfer over the former members of the New Republic's government and military.
Once onboard the Sovereign the former members of the New Republic will be escorted to a large meeting room, this room has been set up to brief them on the threat to the galaxy and alien race from another galaxy called the Yuuzhan Vong.
Yuuzhan Vong Breifing
In the briefing room, there is Grand Admiral Teshik, Captain Frisk who will be briefing the former members of the New Republic's government and military in the Yuuzhan Vong threat, the former members of the New Republic at this point have no idea what the briefing is about. Though the former members of the New Republic do think it may be about the four Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts, they are wrong.
Once everyone has settled down Teshik says, "This is a curtsey briefing, be aware the Empire does not normally give high level briefings of this kind to civilians, especially former enemies. However due to the nature of this briefing both myself and Grand Admiral Thrawn thought it would be useful in briefing the former members of the New Republic."
The former members of the New Republic exchange puzzled glances, but no once says anything.
Teshik says, "Captain Frisk will be giving this briefing, the first item is that I believe that you have discovered that this alien races race name is the Yuuzhan Vong."
Captain Frisk says, "Yes Admiral, it is the Yuuzhan Vong, from Imperial Intelligence observations of this race we have been able to gather a large amount of information on them" Captain Frisk touches a holographic display that will call up the various displays as he begins his briefing.
Captain Frisk says, "The Yuuzhan Vong and their Chazrach slaves are among the few alien species known to originate outside the galaxy (the only known others being the Kwa, Silentium, and Abominor). The Yuuzhan Vong resembled Humans in form, though they are taller and heavier than the average Human and had less hair on their heads. The Yuuzhan Vong is religious zealots who view mechanical technology as blasphemy."
Teshik interrupts, "The Yuuzhan Vong has a religious dislike of mechanical technology?"
Captain Frisk replies, "Yes Admiral"
Looking at the holographic display, show an average Yuuzhan Vong male, Teshik says, "Interesting, continue."
Captain Frisk continues, "Their technological innovations are genetically engineered and purely organic. Additionally, the Yuuzhan Vong deeply respected pain to the point of masochism, and continuously strives to improve their physical capabilities through organ grafting. Such grafting is a status symbol within Yuuzhan Vong society from what we have been able to gather from our observations."
Teshik interrupts again, "Another piece of information that is not on any files is that when the Emperor was questioning the captives from our first encounter with them. The Emperor discovered that the Yuuzhan Vong is unable to be sensed directly through the Force. However, some Force attacks are capable of being used upon them. This confounded the Emperor when he first began to question the Yuuzhan Vong prisoners because prior to their discovery all life forms where thought to have a Force energy signature."
This bit of news about the Yuuzhan Vong being unable to be sensed directly through the Force surprises Luke Skywalker, though it does explain why no Jedi has sensed the presence of this alien race.
Captain Frisk asks, "Very interesting piece of information Admiral. That means that the Jedi will be of little or no use against the Yuuzhan Vong. I will add this to the information we already have."
This comment makes Skywalker wince, but he says nothing.
Teshik says, "Yes it is interesting, however if a Jedi can see a Yuuzhan Vong, then that Jedi can still use the force against the Yuuzhan Vong, as the force can be used to 'grab' the space around where the Yuuzhan Vong is standing and crush or hurl a rock at the Yuuzhan Vong. The Emperor was able to use force lighting against the Yuuzhan Vong prisoners to inflict pain to question them and to kill one of them. So the Jedi may initially be 'fazed' by the Yuuzhan Vong, however based on past performance the Jedi will adapt to this new threat."
Skywalker is amazed at the amount of information that Teshik has on Jedi force abilities.
Teshik continues, "The Yuuzhan Vong biggest weakness is their religion, especially their views on mechanical technology."
Captain Frisk asks, "Admiral, I don't see how that is of use?"
Teshik who is making notes on his own data pad replies, "You will Captain, for now what are the Yuuzhan Vong currently doing?"
Captain Frisk responds, "The Yuuzhan Vong are slowly and carefully expanding, as they do not yet want to engage in combat against the Empire until their forces have been built up to sufficient strength to engage the Empire. I think that the Yuuzhan Vong will move against the Empire, as I think the Yuuzhan Vong will see the Empire as their biggest threat now that the New Republic has fallen."
Teshik looking at the current position of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet that is currently skirting the edge of Imperial controlled space, controlling around a dozen on the edge of the galaxy, replies, "I agree, from a Yuuzhan Vong point of view the Empire will appear to be there biggest threat, they will strike at us first."
Captain Frisk says, "In addition the Yuuzhan Vong seem to have been planting infiltrators within the Empire to gain as much information as possible. Once several of these infiltrators had been captured and questioned along with being examined, this allows us to track the Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators on a specific planet. The Yuuzhan Vong fleets as you have indicated admiral the Yuuzhan Vong forces are holding position in these twelve systems at the edge of our galaxy, they appear to be building up their strength in preparation for an attack."
Skywalker who now seems to have found his voice asks, "Can these Yuuzhan Vong negotiated with?"
Captain Frisk replies, "No, the Empires initial attempts at negotiation led to the Imperial negotiation team be murdered, after that the Emperor order that not further attempts at negotiation."
Admiral Antilles asks, "You mean that the Empire knew about this treat decades ago?"
Teshik replies, "Yes Admiral Antilles the Empire knew, why do you think that the Emperor built the first Death Star?"
Admiral Antilles responds, "To defeat the growing rebellion?"
Teshik replies, "That was its secondary role, it primary would have been to eliminate this alien race."
Leia asks, "So the Emperor did not view the rebellion as a threat?"
Teshik replies, "Not at the same level as the Yuuzhan Vong, the Emperor viewed the rebellion as a minor problem."
Leia asks, "What about the destruction of Alderaan, this was on the orders of the Emperor?"
Teshik replies, "The Emperor never ordered the destruction of Alderaan, Tarkin did it on his own, once Alderaan was destroyed the Emperor could not undo what had been done, so the Emperor authorised the destruction of Alderaan, to make it 'legal'".
Leia says, "So Tarkin was exceeding his authority when he destroyed Alderaan?"
Teshik replies, "Yes he was, but I do not see the need to dwell on this we need to move on, we have a bigger problem, the Yuuzhan Vong. I intend to launch a pre-emptive strike against the Yuuzhan Vong and either eliminate them or weaken them sufficiently that they will not be a threat to the Empire ever again."
Leia asks, "When do you intend to launch this attack?" though Leia has a funny feeling that she already knows that answer to the question she has just asked.
Teshik replies, "Preparations are almost complete, we should begin the attack with the next few days, from intelligence reports the Yuuzhan Vong are unaware of what we are planning."
Leia nods slightly and says, "If the decision has been made why bring us here?"
Teshik replies, "As a curtsy, nothing more. If I did not I would suspect that all of you would raise your voices in disapproval; of not being informed, even though I do not need to inform any of you of any Imperial military operations."
Around that table, there is an embarrassed silence amongst former New Republic's government and military members, as Grand Admiral Teshik has hit the nail on the head on what these former members of the New Republic's government and military would say if they had not been informed about the military operation, once it had been completed.
After letting the silence hang for a few moments Teshik says, "For the next hour or so, I will give you a general outline to the plan of attack, once this is done you will be allocated quarters on my flagship. If you wish to leave your quarters you must be escorted by a guard."
As no one replies, Teshik begins his briefing for the next hour he outlines his attack plans against the Yuuzhan Vong, once he has finished all the New Republic's government and military members are taken to their quarters.
All the former members of the New Republic's government and military know that Teshik will soon launch his attack, what they do not yet know is that the other three Sovereign class Star Dreadnoughts have already jumped into hyperspace towards their own jump off points.
Soon the Yuuzhan Vong will be in for the shock of their lives, as the Yuuzhan Vong are unaware that the Empire is about to attack them.
Worldship of Warmaster Tsavong Lah
Warmaster Tsavong Lah was viewing the recent report that most of the Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators within the Empire had been eliminated. The numbers of Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators are quite small that have been deployed to other governments and powers, compared to the numbers deployed against the Empire. However, the elimination of the Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators in any numbers has been flagged for Warmaster Tsavong Lah attention.
Warmaster Lah asks, "How have these Imperials managed to discover our infiltrators with their blasphemous technology?"
Yuuzhan Vong executor Nom Anor replies, "Warmaster Lah, I do not think that they have discovered our infiltrators by using their blasphemous technology."
Warmaster Lah asks, "Then how?"
Nom Anor replies, "Warmaster, these Imperials have been hunting for former New Republic spies within their midst, I think during these sweeps they simply 'bumped into our infiltrators' so to speak and eliminated them. This would then lead these Imperials to seek out more of our infiltrators, as they assume that they are from the former New Republic. These former New Republic spies are part of the New Rebel Alliance that was greatly reduced when the bulk of the former New Republic government and military surrendered just over a year ago."
Warmaster Lah asks, "So it is just pure coincidence then due to these Imperials paranoia, so how soon will these Imperials will make public what they have discovered."
Nom Anor replies, "Possibly not Warmaster, so far the Imperials have not gone public with this information, I suspect that they do not want to reveal that they have found these former New Republic spies."
Warmaster Lah says, "These Imperials do seem much of a threat as they once did."
Nom Anor replies, "You are correct Warmaster Lah, they do control their former holdings once again, but their military forces are still building up, it will be some time before they are at full strength. The Empire seems to be shifting its forces around a lot at the moment this must be to compensate for the lack of numbers to cover all areas at once." Pausing for a moment, then nervously Nom Anor says, "If I may make a bold suggestion Warmaster?"
Warmaster Lah looks at Nom Anor and says, "You may make your suggestion Nom Anor."
Nom Anor bows deeply and says, "Thank you Warmaster. I would suggest that we ignore these Rebels, along with the other minor powers, until the Empire has been defeated."
Warmaster Lah looks at Nom Anor and laughs, causing Nom Anor to take a few steps back from Warmaster Lah, who then replies, "I have already come to that conclusion Nom Anor. We will strike here at the edge of Imperial space, you have already started to stir up rebellion between Rhommamool and its neighbour Osarian to distract the New Republic from it's our important attacks that will follow."
Nom Anor replies, "Yes my agents have done this, I am posing as the leader of the Red Knights of Life. This has proved to be a relatively easy task as the populations of Rhommamool and its neighbour Osarian already distrusts each other."
Warmaster Lah says, "Good, we are almost ready to be cleansing this galaxy of their blasphemous technology."
Nom Anor replies, "Yes Warmaster. What of these Rebels, shall I dispatch more agents to replace those that have been lost?"
Warmaster Lah thinks for a few moments then says, "No need, these Rebels are weak, focus your efforts on the Empire, we will deal with these Rebels after the Empire has been eliminated."
Nom Anor bows deeply and says, "As you command Warmaster Lah."
Warmaster Lah replies, "Good."
Warmaster Lah is certain that their enemy's blasphemous technology will prove to be inferior to their own pure "technology".
What Warmaster Lah does not know about is that there are Imperial forces at four secret locations these four locations are within striking distance from the twelve systems currently controlled by the Yuuzhan Vong.
Warmaster Lah does not know that the Empire will strike first, within a very few weeks.
Warmaster Lah will be in for the shock of his life...
To be continued.