Chapter Six:

Down with The Palpatine Statue

Empire Day, a full year after Clone Order 66.

Coruscant, 0900 hours, mid-morning.

The triumphant anthem 'Glory to The Empire' blared over the loudspeakers as speeders rolled through the grounds of the Imperial military base, with Stormtroopers and the last handful of Clones in active Imperial service marching in unison with blasters in hand. A row of soldiers and Red Guards stood at attention, some of them were positioned by a large curtain covering something massive.

Polished A6 Juggernaut tanks rolled by, followed by AT-TE Walkers, captained by newly-graduated Imperial gunners, with new AT-ST Walkers marching along as well. TIE Fighters flew above, and fireworks exploded, while the fighters performed several fly-bys and a few loop-de-loops.

The base wasn't the only location on Coruscant where the Empire Day commemorations were under way. Thousands of citizens had gathered in the city plaza and near the Imperial Palace, throwing a massive party, honoring the grand occasion, the momentous day when the chaotic carnage of the Clone War was brought to an end, and when the Empire rose to bring about a safe and secure society.

At the military complex, as the anthem slowly drew to an end, General Fuhl Krush, a highly-decorated Imperial Army leader, stepped forward unto the podium and holo-screens flashed, showing footage of the man giving his grand speech as he was accompanied by a pair of Stormtroopers.

Krush was heavily respected by Palpatine and every military leader in the Imperial army, especially for his service in the Clone Wars, helping to lead many Republic battalions to victory in several campaigns against the droid armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and ensuring many crucial Republic victories during the Outer Rim Sieges in the final weeks of the war.

Even after the transition from the Republic to the Empire, Krush was far from done with his military service, and he'd vowed to Palpatine that he would help maintain security and stability in the Galaxy until he breathed no more. He was very patriotic.

"Soldiers of the Galactic Empire and citizens of the galaxy." Krush spoke into the microphone as Stormtroopers snapped to attention, "Today, we have gathered to honor a glorious day in our galaxy's history, when the carnage of the Clone War was ended with a Republic victory, with the Separatists squashed and with the traitorous Jedi Order ultimately purged, with their Rebellion thwarted.

"On this day, our beloved Emperor Palpatine reshaped the Republic into the Empire, to ensure the security and stability of our civilization, for a safe and secure society that will last ten thousand years. Now, we stand strong as ever, even in the face of the challenges to come. I can assure you the remnants of the Separatist movement will be squashed, and we are all safe.

"It is the Empire's mission to bring order and justice to the galaxy, after the Republic and the Jedi failed to maintain security, and after the attempted murder of our leader. We were destined to become an Empire. Had we remained a Republic, corruption would have eventually consumed us, and we would have no chance against the Jedi or their Separatist pawns.

"Palpatine was the right leader for us, he saw the truth, and he stepped in at a time when we were plagued by weakness. In the thousands of years after the defeat of the unruly Lords of the Sith, our Republic became diseased with corrupt ideals, and the Jedi added coaxium to the fire. Now, we are free from the corruption and the Jedi's tyranny, standing stronger than we ever did under the old banner.

"All we want is peace and order. The only war we will ever wage will be war against those who try to sew instability into our institutions. Any and all insurgencies in the worlds beyond the heart of this galaxy will be quelled by our military might and I will stand with all of you against the enemies of justice. We are not the oppressors! We are the liberators, and may we stand united! LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!"

"Yeah!" The citizens roared.

"Hear, hear!"

"LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!" The Stormtroopers proclaimed, "FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND PEACE!"

"JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND PEACE!"

"Your patriotism will be long remembered." Krush declared, "Now, you will listen to the voice of our beloved Emperor Palpatine, who has joined us today."

Krush stood aside and a hooded figure took to the podium. People recognized him as Palpatine in an instant, but the general and a good many Imperials knew that it was one of his loyalists serving as a body double. The real Palpatine was attending to a banquet at the Imperial Palace, but there was no mistaking his face, even if it was the face of a double.

"I would like to start by thanking General Krush for his compliments and for the grand patriotic speech about how important our Empire is." The Palpatine double said, his voice perfectly resembling that of the real Palpatine, "Men like him have been very valuable and of utmost importance for our military and in the last decades of the Republic's existence.

"We also have the Clone Troopers to thank, those in retirement, and those who are still in service, for their efforts in paving the way for the New Order. Every soldier is vital to ensuring the strong will of the Empire, and carrying out the mission of bringing peace to the galaxy. Now, without delay, it is my honor as Emperor to unveil the new statue on display at this base today.

"May it be a monument, dedicated to the strength of the Empire, in honor of the man who cleansed the Senate of corruption and stood strong against the Separatists' movement and the trickery of the Jedi Order. May this statue be a symbol of power, a symbol of freedom from oppression, a symbol of a legacy that will last for centuries along with the great Empire itself!"

The Palpatine double stepped towards the curtain and the troops saluted. As people watched, the "Emperor" grasped the side of the fabric and pulled back the veil, revealing the large statue as it gleamed radiantly in the sunlight. From a distance upon a rooftop, a helmeted figure observed the scene, holding a comlink in his other hand, while holding the viewing lenses with one hand.

"Now." The agent ordered.

Hidden stealth fighters made their move, opening fire on the compound, sending soldiers flying. Stealthily planted bombs in the vicinity of the statue activated, the chemicals stirring inside, and detonated. The foot of the statue exploded and people shrieked as it fell over. The Palpatine double was taken by surprise, and was helpless as the statue fell atop him.

General Krush, who'd been caught in the blast and was gravely injured, held on to life long enough to see the Palpatine double be squished like a bug. Soon, Krush breathed his last and knew no more. And citizens of the Empire were oblivious to the identity of the perpetrator behind the attack...