Exsibilation
Aboard the Adviser-Class Carrier Broodmare
Zenith Prime.
A world of forts and camps, encampments and entrenchments. The fortress world on the edge of Imperial territory awaited now, for the battering ram that now rocketed towards it. On the planet itself, the late evening hung in the air, a humid temperature sticking to the people and animals as it almost seemed like everyone was collectively holding their breath.
The Sovereignty had made no attempt to hide their intentions, nor their arrival. It was known that they were going to attack - they had even told their citizens publicly. Of course, back then they had talked about the Empire's machines of death on Hypori.
Or their oppression of Siskeen. Even the slavery and debasement of the people that took place on Tatooine. The Sovereign and his intelligence chiefs had all agreed on one thing; misinformation. The Empire was an efficient force with quick response and was not about to tolerate any attack on their worlds. Therefore, it was best to leave them unsure about where the possible attack would come from. A sound tactic would be to split their forces - but this left less than there may usually be.
As he watched from the bridge of the Broodmare, staring upon the work taking place while they travelled through hyperspace, he pondered what must have gone through the minds of Imperial Moffs, Admirals, Generals. How to respond, if they were even considered a threat in the minds of such men and women. He supposed none of it would matter now. He spoke aloud.
"Broadcast me on an open channel."
Some of the ensigns on the bridge simply looked at each other for a moment, the ship's captain giving a concerned look as they scrambled to obey the order and open up communications. Varik had no doubt the Empire would've started to catch on now where they were arriving. The massing ship signatures that encroached on Zenith Prime's system borders now didn't leave any room for negotiation, after all. On ships both Sovereign and Imperial if it was accepted, Varik's form appeared, a glowing blue.
"This is the Sovereign. To all who stand with me now, who have stood with me before and will stand with me again; you have my respect. My admiration. You are not conscripts or serfs, forced to kill and die for my whims. Each and every one of you is a vanguard of your people, a hero of the Sovereignty. We show that to the galaxy now. The Empire is not just an enemy of a friend. The Empire is an enemy to our greatest ideals. Our liberty, our freedom, our right to choose who we are."
The Sovereign's hands stayed behind him as he stared unfailingly into the message, his expression cold.
"To the Imperials, I say this. Not all of you are the monsters the galaxy says you are. I know that more than anyone. Many of you believe in your Empire. Think its prettied oppression and dogmatic security will make the galaxy a better place. However, if the men and women of the Sovereignty, who come from a home where individuals mean more than numbers are willing to lay down their own lives for our people and our cause, then we'll gladly lay down yours. I give one warning. You will leave this system, you will retreat back to your holdings, and you will leave us, the Galactic Alliance and the rest of the galaxy in peace."
Ice's stance finally changed, his eyes maintaining the same focused, driven look that they'd had since the start of the transmission. As he continued to stare, the colours of hyperspace began to disappear - they were here. He took a deep breath, staring almost in pity at whoever was watching the message.
"Or we will paint Zenith Prime with tyrants' blood."
The transmission disappeared as Varik's eyes lit up. His hands stayed behind his back as he walked off the bridge, picking up his helmet. As he placed it over his head, he knew what was to come.
The Sovereignty was not a democratic bastion. It was not a nation of idealists towards excessive mercy and peace. No, that was not the Sovereignty. The Sovereignty was black iron - it would snap in two before it would bend to any others' will, but it was hard; unforgiving. The soldiers would have no love for their enemy, and the crew members and captains of the vessels that were now pulling into the system would not hesitate.
As he travelled down to the hangars, Varik gazed upon the dropships ready to bring down the swathes of well-drilled and repeatedly trained hell that wanted nothing more but to burn across Zenith Prime. Perhaps it was true - that war was the hell everyone feared. But he didn't fear it now, he did not flinch at the idea.
For they had brought war to the Empire.
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