Chapter 13. Emperor Donovan
Donovan and Caseopeai had finally gotten married, it was an elaborate royal wedding, all the heads of state were there. Also present were high ranking military officials, nobles, and of course the clan leaders. With the wedding and consummation of the marriage behind them Donovan and his Royal wife got ready for the invasion of the core worlds.
"Things are moving so fast." Caseopeai said with her arm wrapped up in Donovan's arm as they walked towards the hanger to greet Darth Vader.
"I know, but you can accompany me to the outer-rim that is a long trip and we will be able to spend more time together." They kissed as Vader's shuttle landed in the royal hanger.
The ramp lowered and the royal guard came down the ramp and stood at attention left and right of the ramp. Then Darth Vader/(Anakin Solo) came down the ramp followed by more soldiers who were guarding the command crew of the Star Fire.
Vader dropped to one knee, "My Lord-As you commanded I have done-The Star Fire was destroyed in what will look like an accident-The Jedi refused to surrender so I killed them and I have brought you the command crew of the Star Fire."
As Donovan spoke he gestered with his hand, "You may rise Lord Vader." Anakin obeyed then he whispered in his ear. Donovan smiled and looked at Peter Voles, "Interesting! Take them away!" As the guards took the crew of the Star Fire away Donovan returned his attention towards Vader. "You have done exceptionally well Lord Vader-You will report to the reserve fleet as commander and await my orders." Vader bowed at the hip and returned to his shuttle.
As Donovan left to speak with Ryle Norg about Peter Voles and prepare for his trip to the Core Worlds High Priest Tarson Byth of the Byth Clan. "My Lady is this wise to allow someone who abuses the force so much authority in our military? There are concerns."
She looked at him disapprovingly, "My husband has sworn an oath that once the Alliance and the core worlds have fallen to our might that he will give up the force."
"If he doesn't there will be a civil war among our people."
"I know what is at stake high priest."
Ryle Norg had been summoned to the royal labs in the palace. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes I did-I want to know if it is possible to control more than one force user with the bigot."
"I will have to replicate an egg from the Bigot-yes it is possible."
"Get started right away."
The command crew of the Star Fire had been placed in the same cell together. They remained quiet until the door opened and four soldiers dragged Captain Mason to a private room to interrogate him. He refused Donovan's questions until his wife Nala was threatened.
"I feel like a traitor." He said with his head in Nala's lap.
"You are not a traitor." Nala said in response, "I would have done the same thing in your place."
"We need to get out of here and warn the Alliance." The Wookie Chief Engineer Raza said.
"Lt. Voles-why did you swear never to be trained as a Jedi."
Voles smiled, "Its a long story."
"I don't think we are going anywhere soon." Lt Commander Harf said.
Voles sighed, "It began with my great great grandfather-He was a powerful Jedi Master Theron Voles-After his parents died he asked that his sister despite her age be trained as a Jedi-The high council agreed and she was taken to the old academy on Dantooine-Something changed her and she fell to the dark side-she convinced another young padawan who was attracted to her to become her apprentice-The two of them destroyed the academy and killed everyone."
Peter had everyone spell bound by his story, "How could two traitors kill all those Jedi?" Nala asked.
"As I said the force is strong in my family-we all seem to be gifted with creating huge force waves-Ilena Voles leveled the academy with one blow-No one knows the real reason she turned to the darkside, but it was said that she was searching for powerful sith artifacts-Anyway Theron Voles blamed himself for her fall-At first he tried to turn her back, but his apprentice died in their first meeting-It was on Manaan that the two fought a terrible duel that leveled the entire city-Eventually Theron killed his sister and her apprentice, but Ilena's death caused a force explosion that sunk Ahto city beneath the waves of the planet wide seas. After that Theron resigned his commission from the Jedi order vowing never to use the force again-He married and forced all his offspring to do the same."
"That is some story." Mason said sitting up, "How did you and your father survive the purge?"
Peter grunted, "Vader and Palpatine didn't care about people who had the force but no training-they were hunting people with skill-When Skywalker started his academy he asked my father to join, but he refused after telling skywalker the same story I just told you."
A few minutes later some guards came in and took Peter Voles to Donovan Leers, "I am told the force is strong in you." Donovan said.
"So what?"
"So-I intend to train you in the force and fight for me."
Peter tried to back away, but the guards were holding him. "I would rather die!" He declared, "You can't make me do anything!"
Donovan raised his hands, "Actually I can." He said shocking him with enough force lightening to knock him out. "Doctor Norg he is all yours."
The operation took two and half hours and when they were done Peter Voles was a mind slave of Donovan Leers. Another hour passed and Donovan stood before a holo-projector with Caseopeai, Jaddock, Kindo, and Peter Voles making a speech. He vowed to the Arquillion people that they would be greater than the Mandelorians and that where the Mandelorians failed they would succeed. He also said that when the war was over and Coruscant was thiers that he would never use the force again. People present for his speech and all over the Arquillion Empire cheered his name and said long live Emporess and the Emperor.
As Donovan traveled through hyperspace he spent a lot of time with his new wife. He also began training Peter Voles as his Jedi. The boy learned quickly, but Donovan was impatient and built Peter a lightsaber with a yellow energy blade. They came out of hyperspace in the Ssi Ruk System as they were secret allies to the Arquillions and was hosting their fleet. Donovan's other allies was there to greet them as well. People like Archon Beed Thane of Virgil and his wife Illas Crest both contenders for the Hapan throne and spies for Gavar Kai. Of course Hymen Reckard was there as well as he was Capital President of Terroth.
After the meeting with his allies Reckard pulled Donovan on the side, "I need your help my friend."
"Of course what is it?"
"There is trouble brewing on Terroth-It is called the Friends of the Alliance-They have gained power both politically and militarily-They wish for Terroth to join the Alliance-Talk of civil war is all over the place."
Donovan placed a hand on his shoulder, "Take heart my friend-I shall accompany you back to Terroth and we will crush these Friends of the Alliance together!"
While Donovan reassured his friend Heckard, Archon Beed Thane and his wife sent a message to Darth Saber. "My Lord Saber as you predicted Donovan Leers has returned-the invasion will begin soon-They plan to attack all the Independent Systems first then turn their attention towards the Alliance."
"I am more concerned about Tenel Ka's unborn daughter! What news do you have of her?" He asked through the hologram.
"One month-milord! She is to be born in one month."
"How does your ally intend to invade the Hapes Consortium?"
"We have given them access codes to Hapan Communications net and defense grids for all the planets."
"Does he have a time table to attack the Hapans?"
"That depends on how long it will take him to overthrow all the independent systems-Then there is the Hutts, the Chiss, and the Mandelorians."
"I shall deal with the Hutts and the Chiss-As for the Mandelorians-I have something special planned for them."
Donovan stood before Jaddock and Kindo, with Peter Voles at his side. "Of the two of you Kindo you are the most skilled and promising-Therefore I have decided to give you your own fleet division to command and you will lead the first attack against the independent world of Belbringi."
"Thank you Master I shall not fail."
"I know you won't." He then turned to Jaddock, "You Jaddock will come with me to Terroth."
"But Master wouldn't I do better serving under my brother?"
"Do not question me boy!" Chastised Jaddock put his head down, "If you are not satisfied then leave!"
"I will stay master!"
Before departing for Terroth Donovan kissed Caseopeai and they both left. She returned to the Arquillion home world while Donovan made his way to Terroth. When he arrived arrests were made and marshal law was declared. In just two short weeks Donovan had crushed the Friends of the Alliance.