Manilawa heard nervous knocking on the door of his office. It was very early in the morning. What could this mean? „Enter." Almost before the last syllable left his mouth, Tsiwuri Rama, his defense minister stormed in.
„We have a problem Grand Protector." he said, approaching the politician.
„What is it Rama?" Before responding, the other rodian pushed a few buttons on the table, after which a hologram of Rodia appeared, with several red dots all around the planet. „What is this?" Manilawa asked, frowning and narrowing his large, blue, shiny eyes.
„Just after they pulled out of the capital and the bigger cities, new Imperial forces began arriving from their fleet, they are coming in this very moment too. Their local troops didn't retreat into their bases, but took positions not far from the settlements as if they were waiting for something. It still needs confirmation but we think we detected yet another Star Destroyer. They also took all space ports. And this is only what we know, we have virtually no information about the countryside."
„Proceed with the observation and report everything new to me without delay. You understand?" said Manilawa, taking much seriously what he heard.
„Yes Grand Protector!" nodded the rodian soldier.
„Go now and do your work Rama! I'm counting on you."
Right after he was left alone again, Manilawa wasted no time to contact General Derdan to demand an explanation.
„General. As the chosen Grand Protector of Rodia, I want to know what is happening right away!"
„May I ask what you are referring to Mr. Manilawa?" asked the holo figure of Derdan who arrived back to the planet from the Sovereign the previous night.
„You significantly increased your number of forces in the System and fresh troops are landing on the planet by the masses. On top of that, you literally occupied our space ports. What is the meaning of this? We just began our negotiations about your complete withdrawal from Rodia and you seemed to be open to the topic."
„Ah yes, that. You shall have no worries Grand Protector, the sole purpose of all of this is to secure the transport of our wounded from the planet and protect our army from the still present Rebels." said the elderly officer calmly.
„I am sorry, but I have to say, this is too much just for that..."
„I ensure you that that is all. Have a nice day."
„You too General..." And the call ended.
As the day went on, more and more reports arrived about gathering Imperial forces. Manilawa called Derdan and other high ranking officers to account for this, but they failed to provide him a satisfactory explanation, they all stated that these were merely routine troop movements.
Many considered Manilawa naive, but he wasn't anybody's fool either; he knew exactly what was going on. It was late in the afternoon when once again his face appeared on the news screens and his voice sounded from the radios, announcing the critical decision he made as a protest.
„Together with my government, feeling the deep responsibility toward my people and our history; expressing the will of millions of Rodians, as Grand Protector I hereby declare the neutrality of Rodia in the ongoing galactic civil war. The dream our people longed for came true with this. The great struggle that was fought by the heroes of our past and present finally triumphed. With that we shall enter an era of peace and prosperity."
Not as if he thought that the Empire will treat them as equal partners after this but he hoped that this deed will convince them that Rodia is not a danger for the Empire's reign and that it doesn't side with the Rebels.
The next two days were filled with uncertainty. The discussion between the sides went on but parallel to that the Imperial army proceeded with its maneuvers. During those forty-eight hours they encircled all the major cities and with that Iskaayuma also found itself in a stifling ring of tanks and walkers. A further problem was that communication was difficult due to the previous fightings and so the cities and towns didn't always know what was happening at other places or on the countryside. This, coupled with the lack of reconnaissance prevented the rodians from knowing how widespread this was.
What Manilawa certainly knew was that the capital was threatened. Though he wished to avoid this at all costs, he ordered the Rodian Militia to take positions in the suburbs and the city's periphery. As a result, Rama had the roads leading into Iskaayuma closed with batteries of artillery and light units of the planetary guard, while in mean time he continued the negotiations tirelessly.
It was only three days since the withdrawal of the Imperials from the cities and two days since the declaration of neutrality, and already the clouds began gathering once again.
In the afternoon Rama was told by Derdan that they should carry on with their talks at the HQ of the Imperial forces on Rodia in Tibrun, a smaller town just south of Iskaayuma to which he agreed; despite others, like his fellow ministers and his family feared that it might be a trap.
Night fell and there was uneasy, heavy silence. But some felt, others knew that silence wasn't to last.
Earlier
Around the Sovereign engineers and crewmembers were floating around, working busily in protective suits, finishing repairs. Marcus was standing at one of the many triangular windows of the bridge, facing astern, observing the dark vastness of space, littered with millions of shiny dots, each representing a star. To most of these stars belonged planets, many inhabited, and many uninhabited.
But inhabited or not, every planet was in His hands. Everything belonged to the Emperor, the firm handed, sovereign ruler of the Galaxy who was showing the right way for his people with his wise and enlightened guidance. Every parsec of the vacuum, every star, every asteroid, every nebula, every moon and every planet from the frozen, icy plains and mountain ridges of Hoth and Raithal to the scorching desert of Ryloth, from the green, grassy meadows of Naboo to the humid, dense jungles and oceans of Rodia.
There were nearly countless of them and still, they were one. Under one banner, one ideology, one legislation, one language, one military, one man. One Empire. They finished the work the Republic started but ultimatly failed due to the rampant self-interest and insidious corruption. With the power taken from the hands of the bureaucrats, the leaders of worlds were now obliged to act in the interest of the people they were governing. Under the regional governors, appointed by His Imperial Majesty even the smallest spark of corruption, illegal seek of self-enrichment and abuse of power was severly punished.
Honestly, he didn't really mind when the Senate was dissolved and his father lost that position. He still took part in the leadership of Carida. The time came eventually when that body had no meaning anymore. There was no need for complexity anyway. Centralization was the best way to keep order. Honestly, he was even a bit malevolent, with that his father lost some of his ego and had less chance to force a political career on him.
He was then dragged back to reality. In his field of vision, in the immediate vicinity was the Eiska, one of Rodia's four moons. And from behind that moon a sharp bow of a ship appeared. The bow was followed by the hull, superstructure and the conning tower until the Star Destroyer Decapitator emeged entirely, then it turned toward the Sovereign, Conqueror and the light cruisers.
She came out of lightspeed behind the Eiska so the rodians will not notice her immediately because of the sudden energy surge. Slowly she was slipping closer to the rest of the fleet. After witnessing what happened, the Empire decided to put down Rodia's defiance by force. All that was left was to hide their plan long enough.
For the imminent Operation Hailstorm a formidable striking force was gathered. The military personnel of one Star Destroyer was already considerable, but the Decapitator arrived specifically converted to carry ten entire divisions. Among them there were famous and well experienced corpses like the 402nd Airborne Division that fought during the Rebel Alliance's Mid Rim Offensive from beginning to end. Together with the soldiers onboard the other two Destroyers and the cruisers that was almost fifteen in total.
With some reorganization three main army groups were formed: the 13th Special Army consisted of the Imperial forces stationed near Iskaayuma, and their reinforcement from the fleet and its task was the occupation of the Rodian capital under the command of General Derdan. The 112th Army, led by Lieutenant General Baylarov was to secure the northern hemisphere, while Lieutenant General Cadoratti's 65th Army was going to bring the southern hemisphere under control.
Alongside with that, the Decapitator came with several ISB units, tasked with arresting the political leadership.
„Incoming call Captain." said Mersalli.
Marcus entered the communication room and met with the figure of Admiral Trajar, commander of the Decapitator who took overall command back from the young man. „Admiral." greeted Marcus his superior with a salute.
„At ease Captain." replied the admiral, returning the gestrure. „Would you dignify me with a status report?"
„The transportation of the assigned troops to the surface is proceeding according to plan. All space ports are under full Imperial control, no problem so far. Supplies are being replenished."
„Very well. Once it begins the fleet shall maneuver closer to the planet, just above the atmosphere. In case our ground forces need naval support, we can not afford inaccurate aiming and the risk of friendly fire upon them. With that of course we will need to stretch our formation to cover the all areas of operation."
„Understood Sir. Just out of curiosity. How much time the High Command thinks will it take to restore order?"
„In the residential areas not more than three days. If some of the Rebels and the local insurgents manage to retreat into the jungle, that might be more problematic though." said the dark complexioned Admiral. „One of our jobs up here is to prevent that. If you notice them fleeing into the woods do not hesitate to unleash hellfire upon them."
„I never hesitate Admiral when I have the chance to kill Rebels." assured him Marcus.
„That is the attitude we all need. Carry on Rienar. The time will come soon."
Thirty six hours left. Knowing that the soldiers are going to need extra strength and high moral, the commanders decided to please them with a lavish feast before the engagement.
Everyone gathered in the spacious cantina where multiple courses of various meals avaited them. This time there was no so strict separation between officers and personnel as usually. In the beginning Marcus stayed with his officer corps, talking with Zeck, Dargan, his second officer named Den Karro, the chief engineer Iznar Calem and others. But perhaps we don't have to say whom he joined after a while after everyone was immersed in the conversation. Zeck allowed himself a quick, enquiring look, but he decided not to interfere with his friend's businesses. He trusted him that he can always make the right decision. And he was going to keep this - by him believed – secret.
„So? Where are you going to take a trip?" asked Marcus after they found a quieter corner.
„Oh Captain. You should know the best that I cannot talk about mission details." joked Lena with him. She then learned forward, folding her arms on the table. „Can you keep secrets?"
„Like the safest Imperial vaults."
„13th Special Army." she whispered.
„It's the capital then."
„It is." nodded the colonel.
„Prestigious but also more dangerous."
„Guess it was in our job description."
„Yeah. I think so..."
„Hey, what's up with you?" asked Lena, tiliting her head. „I see you're troubled." She might have been brutal in combat, but she was also caring toward those who were close to her.
Now it was Marcus who leaned closer. „I have seen him." he said, even more quietly.
„Whom?"
„The Emperor."
Lena was left in awe. She has seen their supreme monarch on countless propaganda posters, on the news, on sculptures, paintings, history books, but seeing the real person, even if as a holo projection? „The... You don't say... What is he like?" that was all that came to her mind.
„Whatever you have ever imagined about him, he is much more than that. He is everything. Everything we stand for. His voice was low but it resonated in my whole body like an earthquake. I felt like my feet were glued to the floor and like I was gripped by a huge, powerful hand. For a few moments I couldn't even find my voice. I shivered but in mean time It was like I was burning. It was like meeting the most powerful neutron star in the universe. He is the reason we fight and risk our lives. He is order and law itself. There is no other way for the Galaxy than him. And history will know us as the most distinguished ones who served under him."
„You goddamn lucker. Why couldn't I be there?" longed Lena. „I swear such a meeting would be the top of my career. Everything, I say everything would come only after that!"
„If you perform so well as so far, you'll get it. I've heard that he used to decorate those who excelled in performing duty. And if anyone, you are worthy of it."
„What a flatterer is someone." chuckled Lena. „Then my chance might be now." She said, leaning back.
„Just don't overdo it okay? I'll be unimaginably mad if you'll be reckless and something happens."
„Oh my, how scared I am."
X
Lena took one final shower, putting on fresh, well ironed uniform. Fixing her new rank Insignia on the overcoat, she touched the shiny piece of metal that almost sparkled in the white lamp light, going almost going sentimental. She deserved it and she knew it, she didn't get it for nothing. And she was much proud and satisfied with her performance within the military.
She'll fight for the Empire. She'll fight for the Emperor. Unwaveringly until the end. She would sacrifice her life happily if she had to, though of course she would have prefered to avoid it. A living soldier can do much more than a dead one. Not to mention that she had to support her father, farming back home on Ertegas. She was fighting to protect him from those blasted Rebels along with all the loyal Imperial citizens. And Marcus. Marcus of course.
In the changing room the NCO helped putting her breastplate on and not long after this, she was on board of her AT-AT with her crew and fourty stormtroopers, trasported in the walker's body. The gigantic shuttle lifted them from the hangar's floor, taking them out into space. When they landed at the spaceport of Tibrun, it was bright afternoon in the vicinity of Iskaayuma with negligable cloud cover. The air conditioning of the AT-AT was excellent but when Lena stepped out to attend a last briefing, the warm, humid, tropical air was overwhelming, for a few minutes it was even a bit hard to breath. The armor made it even harder but there was nothing to do; it was mandatory for the soldiers to wear it even during standby.
The hours kept passing until the sun of the Tyrius System slipped below the horizon for half of Rodia. The jungle planet's four moons appeared one after another, the Eiska, Enak, Soomana and Yasooska, dancing around their celestial partner.
The carpit of stars was shining like millions of diamonds until around midnight dense clouds gathered, covering the night sky.
The spaceport was quiet, everyone was either sleeping, standing guard wordlessly or simply preparing mentally. The huge reflectors lit the place well, creating long, dark shadows. Lena herself was leaning against her walker's feet, waiting patiently. „Something troubles you gunner?" she asked when noticed the young boy, with his helmet off, watching the sky rather nervously a few meters away, sitting on a box.
„It's nothing Commander. It's just that... It will be harder for the fleet to assist us if it remains like this."
„That shall not be a concern. It is enough for them if we give them precise coordinates. And who knows, maybe we will not even need that. But if so, trust me, the captain of our ship knows what he's doing." replied Lena assuringly, knowing that Marcus and the Sovereign were somewhere above them, just a few kilometers over the cloud cover.
„I would still prefer if they saw us to be honest... So you know Captain Rienar well?" asked the boy.
„He's an old friend of mine. And I would trust him with my life."
„That's surely good to know. If I may Commander, I feel the same about your presence."
Hearing this, Lena now turned to the boy. „Is that so?"
„You are a good officer Ma'am. Everyone in the regiment knows we can trust you and count on you."
„Hm. There are some who think I'm too harsh."
„They like you too. Soldiers do not like soft officers anyway, but the strict yet fair ones. You are from the second kind Commander."
„Well thank you gunner." nodded Lena thankfully but still in her neutral style. The praise undoubtedly felt good and to be honest, her ego grew with it, but she wasn't used to warmer reactions. In fact, even if she wasn't his superior, she was quite sure that she would have acted the same way. In the entire Galaxy there were virtually two persons with whom her walls were down: her father and Marcus.
Then, for just a fraction of a second a gap opened in the clouds and the pinkish white light of the Enak illuminated the ground for a moment.
„Huhh. Moonlight is beautiful isn't it?" said the boy marvelling.
Lena didn't reply. She hasn't heard that word in a long time and it affected her greatly. „Yes. It is." she responded simply, then left his subordinate without saying anything else.
Going around the walker, she found a lonely corner where she sat down sideways on a speeder. The colonel buried her pale face into her gloved palms, pulling her hands all along on either sides of her head and letting out a deep breath. She then took out a photo of her pocket, portraying her and Eldren during one of her visits during her years on the Academy. She wasn't sure if it was approoriate for a soldier of the Empire to carry such things but she concluded that it cannot be that much of a problem after all. „Moonlight..."
Flashbacks
The sun of Ertegas has already set. The irrigation machines stood silently out there, all that could be heard was the breeze between the plants, the bubbling of water in the canals and the faint sounds of night animals, birds, rodents and small predators.
A six years old Lena was tucked up in her bed, sitting while hugging her legs, waiting anxiously. The single, weak light in the room was on. She didn't like darkness. It wasn't in fact the dark itself that worried her but the things that the childish fantasy filled it with.
Finally, the door opened and her father came in. „Here it is little one. You left it in the backyard." he said, handing her her favorite plush, portraying some bearlike alien animal.
Her eyes brightened up, pulling her toy close. „Thank you dad." she said thankfully.
„Take care of it better next time." Eldren said kindly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, growing a smile as his daughted hugged the plush tightly. Then, despite all the pride, pain struck his chest. She looked so much like her mother... His wife, Hina fell ill and passed away two years prior. Ever since then, the then still brown haierd farmer was unconsolable, though he tried his best to stay strong for his child. „And sorry for being mean." Ultimatly, there were times when sorrow, guilt and grief overwhelmed him, making him to grow impatient and yell at her. This time he was very annoyed that he has to go all around the house and the yard to find that doll after a whole day of hard work on the farm; but by now he calmed down again, and seeing her happy, he was absolutely compensated. Being a single father was even challenging than he thought it will be.
Meanwhile Lena kept hugging her toy sniffing it. Her mother made it for her when she was little and despite being washed multiple times, she would have sworn that it still had her scent. Not as if she had any particular memory about her, other than pictures and feelings, but understandibly, it was very important to her. „It's alright dad. I love you." she creeped forward and hugged her dad's neck.
„Love you too dear." said Eldren, stroking her head. „I'll stay here until you fall asleep, okay?" he asked, pulling the blanket over her.
„Could you tell me a bedtime story?"
„It's getting late."
„Pleaaaase."
„Oh, let it be. Say, did you ever hear the story of Maylar, the hero village leader who liberated his people from the terrible beast, the Lumbu and recovered their crop?"
„Nnnnoooo."
„Thousands of years ago, when Ertegans just began gathering into the first communities and make the first hoe strikes..." By the time he finished, she was sleeping deeply. He stood up quietly, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. „Sleep well my little moonlight."
Present
She gave herself a little slap. No, this is not the right time for this, she's going to need all of her focus and concentration. She looked at her watch. The crew deserves another half an hour of rest. After that she's going to call them to action stations.
Tibrun, Imperial HQ, midnight
In the middle of the night, the meeting room was well-lit and filled with members of the Rodian military delegation, led by Rama. On the other side of the long table were the Imperial officers, under the command of General Derdan.
The negotiations were going surprisingly well and the representatives of the Empire cooperated unexpectedly readily.
„So." spoke Rama, clad in his Rodian militia uniform. „We guarantee that no Rebel forces will ever be tolerated on the planet and that Rodia will never be a threat for the Empire's integrity. As you stated priorly, in exchange you recognize our neutrality in military terms..."
In that exact second the door opened and an Imperial officer is white overcoat entered the room, escorted by a dozen of armed soldiers. „Tsiwuri Rama. You are all under arrest for crimes against the Empire." told strictly Major Arles of the ISB, one of the most committed Imperials in the entire Galaxy.
„What is the meaning of this?!" yelled Rama outraged as he was forced to stand up.
„The charges are high treason, rebellion, conspiracy and incitement to murder. That is all you need to know momentarily. Take them away!"
„You lied! It was all a lie! Be ashamed, that's not what a real soldier would do!" shouted back Rama while he was being dragged out of the room. Together with him, Lieutenant Colonel Jenari Mecharo, commander of the Protector's Guard, the Rodian air force's commander, Colonel Nenji Ooluma, and other prominent members of the Rodian military leadership fell into captivity as well, practically decapitating the planet's armed forces.
„Thank you Major for relieving meg from this unpleasant playacting." stood up Derdan. „Feels great to be freed from that alien scum."
„You did well General." replied the ISB officer. „And I guess it is about time for You to leave anyway."
„Indeed. It is time for getting rid of the pests."
X
The AT-AT's cockpit was illuminated only by infrared lights in order to maintain stealth. The walker was now standing outside of the spaceport, on the edge of a vast, grassy field, across which was Iskaayuma.
Around Lena's vehicle there were seemingly countless other walkers, assault tanks and armored transports. Despite of the vast number of people present, the arra was silent, all that could be heard was the humming of the various machinery.
Everyone was ready, every system was checked. Nothing else was left other than waiting. Out of which not much was left however.
„The weather report for the region?" broke Lena the silence.
„The cloud cover seems to be persistent." said the pilot. „Fog and low visibility is anticipated at least for the early hours."
„I see."
The pilot and gunner, with their heads hidden by their helmets exchanged looks. They knew this was more or less troublesome, but if the commander isn't taking it that seriously...
It was exactly 04:00 a.m.
„Commander, incoming transmission!"
The recieved radio message was short, but started huge things: „Thunder-333."
That was it, the password sounded.
„Ahead slow." gave Lena the command and the AT-AT began its march along with the rest of the army.