Disclaimer: I don't own SWTOR or anything in the Star Wars Franchise.
IN THE IMPERIAL PALACE TRAINING ROOM TWO DAYS LATER
"Agrigus. Clean up that footwork." Darth Thyferus said as he watched his Apprentice's train for the upcoming invasion of Mandalore. The Training Droids had been programmed with Mandalorian Fighting Styles and Darth Thyferus did not set them for a low level but immediately to the highest level. The enemy would not take it easy on them and neither would the Training Droids.
Agrigus did as his Master ordered and made sure that he was using correct footwork in fighting the Training Droid's. They were training without Lightsabers so Agrigus and Matrius were struggling but Tiberius was doing fine. Since Tiberius had done this kid of fighting before he had no trouble with it.
The Training Droid aimed a Spinning Back Kick at Agrigus's head which he ducked and returned with a kick to the Droid's torso. The Training Droid stumbled and Agrigus used this opportunity to jump in the air and kick off the droids head as he came over it. The Droid groaned and sparked and then fell to the ground.
Matrius was not bothering with technique and just ran straight at the Training Droids and started tearing them apart with his bare hands. He ripped off the arm of one and used it to whack off the head of another. Then he kicked right through the leg of another and ripped off its head.
Tiberius was basically the only one using correct form and technique. He held his hands in front of him as he slowly circled the Training Droid and mirrored its movements. For several silent seconds it remained like this until the Droid sprang at him. Tiberius jumped in the air and kicked the Droid in the chest using the momentum to kick off and do an airborne back flip and land on his feet.
While the droid recovered Tiberius returned to his former position. The Droid lunged at him again and Tiberius grabbed its arm and snapped it off at the elbow before kicking it in the back of its right leg. Next Tiberius kicked the Droid in the small of the back and it shut down.
Thyferus watched the three in their separate fights and judged them. Tiberius easily was the most skilled and prepared with Agrigus right behind. But Matrius was far from ready and skilled. He used savage ferocity to achieve victory. Agrigus used trickery on his opponents. Tiberius understood how to use his opponents strength against them.
"Well done my Apprentices. Tiberius I expected you to get through this Training Session perfectly since you have Trained in hand to hand combat before. Agrigus you did better than expected. Matrius you ignored technique and form and used savage ferocity. I think to teach you the importance of form and technique you should fight a living opponent. Like Tiberius." Tiberius smirked as he had been waiting for the chance to teach Matrius a lesson. Matrius smirked because he assumed he would win quickly and easily.
The two brothers stepped into the ring and bowed to each other. Tiberius got into an offensive/defensive stance but Matrius stood normally but had a feel like a predator about to pounce. When the bell rang Matrius ran forward trying to charge Tiberius but Tiberius side-stepped and grabbed Matrius's arm. He swung him around and Matrius ran into the wall of the ring. Matrius rubbed his head and tried once more to charge Tiberius but this time Tiberius spun around until he was behind Matrius and kicked him in the back sending him to the ground.
Matrius didn't give up and tried to kick Tiberius's legs out from under him but this failed when Tiberius grabbed his leg and swung him into the wall. Matrius groaned as he charged again but this time Tiberius grabbed his arm and flipped him. He placed his shoe at Matrius's throat.
Darth Thyferus clapped as he walked out onto the ring and approached the two. Tiberius stepped away from Matrius and kneeled at Darth Thyferus's feet and Matrius scrambled up and kneeled as well. Thyferus smirked. "Tiberius is clearly the winner and Matrius. I hope you have realized the importance of technique." Matrius muttered something inaudible but Thyferus ignored it and turned to walk back to the Control Room.
As the Emperor walked away he sent some words back to the three. "You all must be in top fighting condition for the invasion of Mandalore. If you are off by even a centimeter it may be the death of you. The Mandalorian's may be a peaceful people but they are skilled fighters when it comes to defending their home. Heed these words." Thyferus let that sink in and they all returned to training. Thyferus returned to the Control Room to oversee it once again.
He began to think of some of the changes in the Empire he had enacted. In order to ease the public opinion about Grathan's Experiments, Thyferus had restricted him to only doing experiments for the Imperial Military. Aside from that Grathan submitted to having these experiments watched over by an official. Next Malgus seemed a bit angered by the human superiority feeling in the Empire. So Thyferus decided to allow equal rights of both humans and aliens in the Empire thus appeasing Malgus.
Another change was brought about by the complaints about Sith superiority to Imperials. So Thyferus changed the government a bit. Now the Dark Council was just the Council of the Empire and consisted of twelve Sith Lords and twelve Imperial Officers. The Empire was now run half by Sith and half by Imperials.
These changes equalized the feelings of the public and instilled order throughout the Empire. No more division or separation, no more accusations or debates, no more chaos. Only order. Something that the Old Empire was greatly lacking in.
The public also seemed to like how their New Emperor actually appeared to them and wasn't hidden away. Thyferus knew that the way to make his Empire successful was through creating stability and order within the Public. That was one of the most corrupt things about the Old Empire and Thyferus intended to purify it.
Oddly enough, the Death Watch were welcomed with open arms into the New Empire. Somehow the Death Watch made the Imperial Public feel more secure. Though it might be because they aided Thyferus in creating this New Empire.
On the topic of Resistance, Thyferus had routed out a Splinter Cell in the Imperial Military and tried them all with a Jury present. They were charged with High Treason and sentenced with life imprisonment. Aside from them no other forms of Resistance were active in the Empire that Thyferus knew of.
Thyferus was very proud of the Empire he had created, almost as proud of it as he was proud of his own son. A son who would one day rule the Empire he created.
MEANWHILE IN THE JEDI HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBER
"With Darth Thyferus as the Emperor of this New Empire who knows what it is capable of?" Grand Master Shan expressed to the rest of the Council. They all nodded as the group digested the information. The whole of Coruscant now was abuzz with the information. Fear was in the air. And this was causing chaos as well.
The Senate was in disarray at this news because they now knew nothing of the diplomatic status of the Republic and the New Sith Empire. Aside from that the Senators were still at each other's throats over the murders of multiple Senators. Supposedly these were done by the SIS but the debate was still going on. The Chancellor called it madness to even consider the possibility.
Now the Chancellor had charged the Jedi with trying to figure out what to do about this New Emperor. Many suggestions were offered but a fair share of holes was poked in them with logic and reason. No solution seemed to work. Assassin's would be brushed aside by Thyferus like dust. And the Republic didn't have the troops for an all out attack. Spy's had already been sent in and not returned or reported in. So now they sat once more in deliberation of the topic.
Master Nomen Karr cleared his throat and leaned forward. "We must act before they do. We must do something." Master Zez-Bak countered as his hologram flickered and waved. He was negotiating a trade agreement on Balmorra.
"What exactly do you propose we do Master Karr?" Nomen Karr stood up and spread his arms as the hologram of the galaxy appeared. Planets began to select and deselect as the computer searched for a likely Imperial Target.
"My friends we must find the most likely Imperial Target and get there first to defend it. This way we can counter them and possibly capture this New Emperor." The rest of the Council agreed with him as they all began to ponder what planet would be the most likely Imperial Target. There were many, many options to choose from and anyone of them could be the location of the first Imperial Attack.
Master Muvar decided to pose a point. "What of these supposed Warriors who are allied with Darth Thyferus. The Death Watch. They must have wanted something in return for aiding Thyferus in taking Dromund Kaas. But what?" Satele pressed a few buttons and the Map zoomed in on Mandalore.
"From what we have found out these Death Watch are a clan of Warriors exiled from the planet Mandalore sometime after the death of Darth Revan. They were exiled for following the ways of Mandalore's Warrior Past. If logic is on our side then that is the first target." The entire Council nodded in agreement as Satele got rid of the rest of the map and focused only on Mandalore.
Nomen Karr pointed to the north-eastern hemisphere of Mandalore. Or more specifically to a massive Dome which was visible even from space. "Here is the Capital which is called Samiel. It is by far the largest city on Mandalore. There are others but around 45% of Mandalore's population is located here. If reason is also on our side then Samiel will be their primary attack point." They all agreed on that point as well and now knew the target planet and the primary attack point.
Master Muvar pointed to a capital building in Samiel. "The Capital Building is most likely their objective to taking Mandalore. The Duchess and the rest of the government is housed there. So if that falls then so does Mandalore." Now they had three things spot on. Target Planet, Primary Attack Point, and Primary Objective.
Satele outlined the outside of Mandalore. A red shield and a ring of Satellite's appeared. "Mandalore is protected by a powerful Energy Shield which when turned on will blast apart anything which comes in contact with it. The Generator is located in Samiel so if Thyferus intends to take it down he'll have to have a man on the inside. The Satellites are Fighter Platforms. Yet none of this will matter if Thyferus can penetrate the defenses." That was a grim realization that if Thyferus conquered these few defenses he would have a clear path to taking Mandalore.
Satele continued after several minutes of silence. "Contact Admiral Quinton and get the Seventh Fleet to Mandalore on the double. Get General Crickton and get the Wolf Division to Mandalore stat! We must inform them of the coming attack. Get the Duchess on the line immediately." They all nodded and began patching through a connection to the Mandalorian Leader.
It took several minutes before the connection came in and the Council was met by the view of the Duchess Elaina of Mandalore, the Prime Minister, Governor, Deputy Prime Minister, and Security Minister. The Duchess smiled at Satele who was a good friend of hers. "Satele. To what do we owe the pleasure of this call?" Satele did not smile back as there was nothing to smile about.
Satele cleared her throat before speaking to Elaina. "Elaina I have not called for a friendly chat. We have grave information. We believe that on an agreement with the Death Watch, Darth Thyferus plans to invade Mandalore." The Duchess also fell grim at this news. All of those with her did as well. Though the Governor seemed grim but slightly less grim than the others.
The Duchess was silent for several moments before speaking to Satele. "We do not have the forces to repel an attack of that magnitude but we hope the Energy Shield will keep them out. If not can we count on Republic assistance in defending our planet?" Satele nodded as she turned to the rest of the Council also speaking with the Duchess.
Nomen Karr leaned forward. "Duchess. The Republic Seventh Fleet is being prepared to leave for Mandalore as we speak. It will assist your troops in the defense of the space above Mandalore. They should be there within three days at the most." The Duchess nodded and some of her dread vanished. More vanished as Master Muvar leaned forward to deliver the next news.
"Just as well the Republic Wolf Division is en route to Mandalore as well. They will aid in defending Samiel from the invaders." This further vanquished the Duchess's dread about the attack. Knowing the Republic was sending aid helped her to relax.
MANDALORE HALF AN HOUR LATER
"...Well thank you for your help Satele. You have always been a loyal friend and ally to us." The Duchess said as the connection was cut and the meeting adjourned. The Duchess and the others all began to discuss this attack while the Governor slinked away.
The Governor crept inside the Communications Center which was empty at this hour. He keyed in the correct frequency and made sure the conversation wouldn't be traced or recorded. Soon after several minutes the connection came in and the Governor was met with a view of Darth Thyferus and the Death Watch Leader.
Darth Thyferus spoke first and he sounded impatient. "Well Governor Rascal out with it. What are they planning? Do they know about our attack?" Rascal transmitted the data about the defenses to them over the transmission and left out no details. Everything on Mandalore's defenses was on the data he sent them.
"The Republic has figured out your imminent attack using logic to find a connection between you and the Death Watch. Therefore they are sending aid to Mandalore. This aid is coming in the form of the Republic Seventh Fleet and Wolf Division." Darth Thyferus cursed as this information changed things a bit. He had been planning a stealth attack but now with the Republic involved he would need a full scale invasion.
The Death Watch Leader spoke now. "The Republic involvement complicates matters somewhat. But the attack will still go through." Rascal nodded and knew that the two would tell him the new plan. With the old plan ruined by the news of Republic involvement a new plot was required for the idea of an invasion to be carried out.
And so Darth Thyferus did. "Instead of a small Stealth Attack we will be conducting a large full-scale invasion. We will still require you to deactivate the Energy Shield. With it operational our Invasion Force will be quickly neutralized." Rascal nodded again remembering the deal he made with Darth Thyferus. He shuts down the shield and allows them through and in return the Death Watch will recognize him as ruler of Mandalore. He was tired of taking orders and longed to be the one giving them instead of taking them.
"Of course. Provided I know you will hold up your end of the agreement. I allow your invasion force through the defenses and to the Capital. And in exchange I will be recognized as the ruler of Mandalore. Is our deal still valid?" Darth Thyferus nodded this time but in reality he intended to do no such thing. As soon as the invasion was complete Rascal would be turned over to the Death Watch. After that his fate was in their hands and it was their decision whether he lived or not.
The Governor smirked as he thought of his non-existent future as ruler of Mandalore. "Gentlemen I have a feeling that this will be a very successful operation." The Emperor and Death Watch leader both nodded as they cut the connection to prepare for the attack. Darth Thyferus had promised the Death Watch Mandalore and he wasn't going to betray them in favor of Rascal. The Death Watch were far more valuable allies to have.
Governor Rascal was then left to prepare to do his part of the bargain. So in secret he snuck off to the Energy Shield Generator and planted a device on it. This device would allow him to deactivate or activate the Shield at the push of a button.