False Peace/Chapter One

False Peace

Chapter One

2,700 BBY

The empty void of space filled the triangular window of the room. A whole galaxy was out there most of it unexplored the rest were home to many kinds of sentient life and governments, including the Sith Empire. The Sith were always expanding their reach into the void of space. Since the Empire conquered their old enemy, the Galactic Republic, centuries ago the Empire experienced peace. Or something close to peace. Peace, a thought that Tomar Vaner, scoffed at.

"Peace is a lie" he thought gazing into the sea of black.

The Sith were at peace at least that what it looked like publicly. The truth was much darker, internal power plays, political power grabs within parliament. The Sith High Council and Sith Inquisition did its best to keep these threats in check. But the Empire wasn't what it was back when the First Emperor reformed the Empire and lead it to conquer the Galactic Republic. Those days were long gone, replaced with unchecked petty infighting.

"What would you say about the state of affairs...my apprentice." a voice gruffly said standing in the doorway.

Tomar turned to face the voice, he already knew who it was, the current Emperor, Exar Keen. Named after a famous Sith Lord of old, Exar's father hoped the name would inspire him to become greater than their ancestor. Unfortunately, Exar's reign was not smooth and he did not live up to his name. In the first month of his rule he fended off two assassin's and a young power grabbing Sith Lord. Many saw him as weak unworthy of ruling the Empire, the Sith Inquisition was unable to stop the influx of Sith playing the old games in response to his apparent weak status. "I would kill all the traitors and rebuild, stronger than before." Tomar finally said, looking at the ageing Emperor.

Fifty-seven years ago, Exar Keen ascended to the throne he looked ancient now. Old holo's of him shown him to be a handsome young man. Age had not been kind to him. Was it time or the many attempts on his life that made him look as such? Exar gave a gruff laugh. "If only it were that easy apprentice, many Sith openly oppose me and even less support me. Even the Imperials and politicians secretly wish for my downfall and one of my children to replace me." Exar angrily said, through gritted teeth.

The Empire was fragmenting from within, and Exar couldn't save it even with all his knowledge and wisdom. The events that lead up to this is unclear but Imperial Intelligence and the Sith Inquisition had discovered that a Sith pure-blood named, Targath Vile'tor, was mainly to blame. The details were sketchy at best, even the great Imperial Intelligence didn't have any background on Targath.

"My plan is sound, master. Once the traitor is dead we can then deal with our lesser enemies." Tomar said, pointing to a nearby planet.

Tomar was smart, too smart for his own good. True, if they struck at Targath the rest of the Empire will fall in line. After some deaths of course. Targath had taken a remote world for himself to rule, a reward for his loyal service to the Empire. If Exar had known what he had known now, he would have refused and struck the man down himself. No sense dwindling on the past.

"Master...shall we begin?" Tomar asked, looking menacing as he said the words.

"Let us get this done with. I have an Empire to save!"

The Emperor's Fist. A fleet of sixteen capital ships carry enough of the cutting edge turbo-lasers and neutron missiles to reduce a world into a toxic nightmare. The ships were impressive, based of the old Harrower-class dreadnought used by the previous incarnation of the Sith Empire, with slight modifications to look more triangular. Tomar once joked that the ships just looked like three ships stuck together, a large ship followed by a medium ship and topped off with a smaller ship.

Exar didn't pay much attention to his apprentice's jokes, he was more focused on saving an Empire that had been crumbling in his hands for more that forty years. Before Exar could say another word his comlink lit up, signalling that he was needed on the bridge.

"So they need us. Damn Imperials can't do a thing without our say so." Tomar spat, he was always bothered by the Imperials constant need of orders.

"Blame my father, he was the one who made them like this. Obedient, spineless fools, I'm surprised they can wipe there own behinds without a Sith ordering him to do so." Exar said in agreement, his father, the previous Emperor had made all Imperials have to answer to the Sith if they did not follow the law they would be killed. A foolish law to pass but the Emperor's laws are final.

"Remind me to change the law when we get back." Exar said with a serious tone.

Both of them made there way to the bridge of the Emperor's Throne the lead ship and the Emperor's personal starship. Slightly larger than most capital ships it had large black strips running from the tip of the ship and separating from the middle of the ship ending behind the ship just stopping before hitting the engines. The weaponry was more advance than standard capital ships able to hold its own against a small fleet, and able to crush enemies when backed up with allied ships. All on-board were extremely loyal to the Emperor all willing to die for him. All well trained and experienced in dealing with the control of the ship.

The door to the bridge opened giving of a trademark hiss that all durasteel doors gave off. The bridge crew were all typing away at there stations, formulating battle tactics and making hyperspace calculations. All well organized and effective. Just what the Empire should be like, trouble is it wasn't.

&mdash; &mdash; &mdash;

Fifteen minutes later, Grand Moff Ryran Nayrak arrived on the bridge. He bowed before his Emperor with the up most respect. "Rise Grand Moff. What is the fleets status?" Exar asked, gesturing to a holographic layout of the fleet. Nayrak was as old as Exar, but he had the vitality of a newborn. Forge in the fire of service Ryran Nayrak became Grand Moff at the age of Twenty-nine. He was friends with the Emperor, who—for the most part—agreed on Nayrak's strategies. Nayrak raised his eyebrows with excitement. "All the ship captains have been informed about the strategy. The ground assault will be lead by General Visuur--" Exar raised his hand cutting Nayrak's off mid-sentence.

"I'm well aware of General Visuur's exemplary service. But I personally requested General Tullius Carr." Exar said in his smooth voice.

Nayrak winced. He didn't want to tell Exar about Tullius Carr's standing within the political civil war. Tomar sensed Nayrak's reservations. He moved forward with deadly intent. Exar raised his arm, blocking his apprentice.

"Please. Tell me why Tullius Carr is not participating." Exar said, with a menacing grin on his face.

Nayrak looked Exar in the eyes. Exar returned the look, staring searchingly. "Tullius Carr has retreated from his military career. He has chosen the new 'Anti-Sith' sentiment."

The words said it all. Tullius Carr, a man who fought and bleed next to Sith, had abandoned his duties. Foolish. Carr had much experience with war, his support in the campaign would have made the war shorter. Now Exar was stuck with Visuur leading his ground troops.

"Great" Exar sighed heavily. "Now this campaign will be longer."

"At least it can't get worse." Tomar said, putting his hand on Nayrak's shoulder. A shiver when down Nayrak's back. Couldn't get any worse he said. Exar gave the order to move out. All ships were prepared, coordinates locked in. Soon, the stars in the blackness of space began to streak across the view point as the ship entered hyperspace.

The fleet had arrived over Forther V, formerly used by the Jedi to train their young learners in the ways of the Force. Once the Empire took control it became a farmer planet, under Targath's rule it was his personal mining world. Exar and his apprentice left from Dromund Kaas in secret. Gathering his own personal military forces, Exar would invade Forther V while Targath was still on the world, and end his traitorous life and hopefully end the other Sith's infighting.

Forther V was a small world filled with beautiful beaches and blue glinting oceans. A paradise by all accounts a world that now belonged to Targath, he used it to mine its mineral wealth and he horded it all for himself and his personal army. The planet was colonized quickly during the fall of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi many species called it home and enjoyed their life free from Imperial control. That was until the Empire began to crack down on "free worlds" and control of the planet was given to Targath.

Now, watching his fleet destroy the planets meager defensive's, Exar wondered if the planets beauty would survive his assault—.

His train of thought was ruined by a voice addressing him. "My Emperor, our ground troops are landing now soon they will secure the first cities." Nayrak said, he couldn't hide the enthusiasm in his voice. War was in his blood he couldn't sit still while the galaxy was at peace, he found that out during his first battle.

"Good prepare my shuttle. I shall watch the chaos from one of the cities." Exar said, turning on his heel. Tomar was quick to follow him.