PROLOGUE
Cal Omas, Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance, took his seat at the long, oval-shaped table placed in the middle of the conference room. To both of his sides sat the members of his advisory council, consisting of representatives of the nine planets that signed the Declaration of a New Republic more than thirty years ago.
Across from them sat the eight members of the Imperial Remnant's Council of Moffs, along with the Remnant's Supreme Commander and political leader Rolan Verradun. Dark haired and only a few years Omas' junior, Cal Omas did not trust Verradun as much as he did his predecessor, Gilad Pellaeon. He saw Verradun as being just as greedy and ambitious as the other Moffs, who Pellaeon had kept in check during his term.
However, Omas also had faith in knowing that Verradun would not try to declare war against the Alliance or try to take control over the galaxy. Which was also why Omas was comfortable with sitting less than ten feet away from him.
A moment of silence lingered over the conference room, each Moff and senator staring coldly at the person sitting opposite of them. Finally, Verradun spoke first.
"I am sure the incident at Kuat is...common knowledge by now." He made a steeple out of his fingers. "I can assure you that it was not the Imperial Remnant's intent to attack the Kuat Drive Yards. We were told to do only blockade the planet by Governor Aidel Saxan of Corellia."
"And yet you agreed to fulfill her wish," Cal Omas noted. "Why?"
Verradun let out a small sigh. "Well, Governor Saxan claimed that she had overheard Senators Haydnat Treen and Kvram Jia were plotting to overthrow you."
"I doubt that excuse," muttered the Bothan senator Zrask Krey'lis. "Why exactly would those two senators try to usurp the Chief of State? And for that matter, how would attacking- or, as you say, blockading- Kuat change matters?"
Verradun shook his head. "I honestly do not know. But you must know that I wouldn't dare try to overthrow the Senate."
Krey'lis's eyes narrowed. "You already have-"
"That's enough, Senator Krey'lis," Omas snapped, startling the others and preventing the Moffs from retorting. Turning back to them, he spoke in a more calm tone.
"I want to believe you, Verradun. But we need proof or confirmation from Corellia...which isn't exactly a possibility at the moment."
Verradun slowly nodded. "I understand. We shall see what we can do."
"Very well," Omas replied. "Now then, have you received word from Commander Jokar and his team? Admiral Sovv hasn't been able to contact them, Commander Naar, or even Master Katarn ever since they left for Dantooine nearly three days ago."
"None, as far as I know. But it's only bee three days. I highly doubt they've run into trouble already."
Senator Krey'lis scoffed. "If stormtroopers are on the team, I would be surprised if anyone is still alive."
"Silence, Krey'lis!" said Senator Via Eerin of Mon Cala. "Verradun has a point. We should wait at least a week before trying to contact Commanders Jokar and Naar."
The reddish-brown furred Bothan huffed but said nothing to counter the female Mon Calamari.
"Very well, then," Verradun muttered. "I take it that this meeting is adjourned?"
"Yes," Omas said, his voice strangely quiet. "For now."
As he and the rest of the Advisory Council rose from their seats to leave, Omas couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for the Galactic Alliance.
And the galaxy itself.
* * *
"It seems that the conference went...well, master."
The being known only as the Master shifted in his seat. "I was prepared for such an outcome. I suppose Agent Deceiver's manipulations were... not as successful as I had hoped."
"It seems so, my liege."
"Have him executed then," the Master said. "In the meantime, it is time for us to initiate our backup plan."
He leaned back in his seat, pressing the tip of his fingers together. "If we cannot get the galaxy to tear itself apart...then we will have to do it ourselves."
STAR WARS: INVASION
EPISODE III
PRELUDE TO INVASION
Star Wars belongs to Lucasfilm, which belongs to Disney. I own nothing. But if you try to steal my characters, well...I might not be happy.
Of course, the odds of anyone coming across this blog and reading my story are 3,720 to 1.
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