After subduing Amanda and renaming her Darth Norktissa, Andrey retired for the night. Outside, clone patrols roamed, accompanied by AT-ST walkers. Exhausted, he collapsed into bed and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, he checked his factories' earnings via the remote building control panel. His factories had amassed 378,000 credits, delighting him. With this sum, he could recruit more clones and purchase new equipment, including SPMA artillery. Leaving the village, he saw ten barracks flanking the area. Accessing the building management interface, he ordered 1,000 clones per barrack, spending 100,000 credits to rapidly expand his army. Smirking at the prospect of conquering Andoria, he reveled in his ambitions.
Now, with the army forming, it was time to send an ultimatum to Andoria, accompanied by the adventurers' heads. The letter demanded the city's surrender within 24 hours, threatening annihilation if refused, but promising benevolent rule and protection from external threats if they complied.
"Hey! Carl, come here!" Andrey called, spotting Carl heading to the diamond mines to serve his sentence.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Carl approached, pickaxe over his shoulder.
"You have an important task today. Skip the mines and deliver this letter and sack to the city by cart. Do not open the sack."
"Understood, I'll do it," Carl said, leaving his pickaxe at home. His wife, Maria, and their newborn son, William, saw him off.
"Norktissa! To me!" Andrey shouted. Darth Norktissa (Amanda) appeared, bowing before him.
"Glory to the Emperor! How may I serve you, Master?"
"Today, you'll ensure Carl's safety. He's delivering a diplomatic message, and I fear they might kill him if they identify him as my envoy. Prevent this. You're a new Sith, so a lightsaber is premature. Take this E-11 blaster or use your magic." Andrey handed her his blaster, deeming it unnecessary for himself now.
"Thank you, Master. I'll execute your command flawlessly."
"I expect success—failure is not an option!"
"Yes!" Norktissa vanished to carry out her mission.
Andrey visited his vehicle factories to inspect production. The heavy factory was building SPMAs. AT-ATs were too advanced for now, but AT-TE tanks from the Republic era caught his eye—two would suffice. Then he saw the Juggernaut, a massive Republic all-terrain transport tank with five wheels per side, a 30,000-kilometer fuel range, and capacity for 50–300 passengers, crewed by 12 pilots and eight gunners. Prominent in the Clone Wars, especially on Kashyyyk, it cost 65,000 credits. Perfect for transporting arms, he ordered one. With two SPMAs, two AT-TEs, and a Juggernaut in production for 300,000 credits, completion was set for five hours—coinciding with his 10,000 clones' readiness. Andoria would face a reckoning.
City of Andoria. Lord's Manor
A young man, aged 25–30, sat in an ornate chair, reviewing documents and signing decrees. He was Viscount Wilmor, the city's successful governor. A knock interrupted him, and his wife, Elenora, and daughter entered.
"Still working, Wilmor?" his wife asked. He sighed, craving her affection.
"Papa, when will you be free? I want to play!" chirped Katarina, his 4–5-year-old daughter, sweet-natured and fond of her father.
"Sorry, Katarina, I'm swamped managing the city."
"Papa, I'm bored! When's your day off?"
"Haha, I don't know, my peach. Oh, love, you won't believe this—Count Laidrav's army didn't return from their mission, nor did he."
"That blowhard? Good riddance; he terrorized the citizens," Elenora scoffed.
"True, but Gustav's S-rank adventurer team was with them. They didn't return either. The guildmaster said a village three hours away was seized by white, human-like monsters—only 1,000 of them, yet no one survived," Wilmor said, astonished. Elenora bristled.
"Wilmor! Must you discuss this in front of our daughter?" They glanced at Katarina, who looked confused.
"Papa, did someone die?" she asked sadly.
"No, sweetheart, everyone's fine! Mama and Papa are just discussing business. Louis, pour my daughter tea and fetch her a dessert!"
"At once, Lord Wilmor," called the butler from the hall.
As the family chatted, a city guard burst in, panting from running in heavy armor.
"Lord Wilmor! Urgent report! We received a letter addressed to the city government and a sack… I can't say what's in it with your daughter present," he said, alarmed. Wilmor's face grew stern.
"Dear, take Katarina to another room; state matters await." Kissing his wife and daughter, they left, and Wilmor turned to the guard.
"Speak."
"My lord, a man delivered a letter demanding the city's surrender by some 'First Galactic Empire.'"
"What? Galactic Empire? I've never heard of such a state. Could it be an ancient kingdom biding its time? Unlikely—archives mention no such entity. What's in the sack?"
"The sack contained…" the guard swallowed hard, "…the heads of Gustav's S-rank adventurer team."
"What? They were killed and decapitated to intimidate us? If they defeated such powerful adventurers, we face a grave threat. Fetch the communication crystal; I must contact the capital."
"Yes, sir! Here's the letter—read it fully." The guard handed it over and ran off. Wilmor read:
By order of the Emperor of the First Galactic Empire, I demand:
1. Surrender the city without resistance, conditions, or compromises—only absolute capitulation.
2. Open the gates, disarm all guards, and accept new governance and laws.
3. Do not delay or ignore this demand.
4. The current government must surrender to the Emperor and disclose all state secrets.
Failure to comply will result in the city's destruction and the slaughter of all inhabitants. You have 24 hours.
Wilmor paled at the threat to annihilate 400,000 people. Resolving to avert war, he summoned representatives of the citizens, merchants, aristocrats, and the guildmaster. A soldier returned with the glowing communication crystal.
"My lord, here's the crystal."
"Excellent, place it on the table. Is the messenger still in the city?"
"Yes, at the ambassadors' inn. Your orders?"
"Tell him we'll consider the demand and respond later."
"Understood!" The guard hurried to the inn.
Wilmor infused the crystal with mana, chanting, "Connect me to the capital." It glowed, and soon, the king appeared—an elderly man of 60–70. Wilmor bowed.
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Rise, Wilmor. We're old friends, despite our age gap. What's happened?"
"Your Majesty, an envoy from a 'First Galactic Empire' demands Andoria's unconditional surrender. They sent the heads of Gustav's S-rank team."
"I knew of Gustav's team—strong talents, a loss to the kingdom. But who killed them? Any details?"
"Yes, three days ago, a man requested S-rank aid at the guild, claiming white, intelligent, human-like monsters seized his village. They were impervious to attacks—even two retired A-rank adventurers couldn't harm one. The village fell, and we sent Laidrav's 10,000-strong army with Gustav's team. None returned, and now their heads are here. If the city learns, panic or rebellion could erupt over our failure to protect them."
"Hmm, grave indeed. I'll decree 50,000 troops to reinforce you and send my daughter, Janet. Her presence is necessary if S-ranks failed. Aid arrives in 20 hours from the nearest city, thankfully close."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Anything else?"
"They demand the government's surrender and acceptance of their rule under an emperor with absolute power. Non-compliance means they'll slaughter all 400,000 residents and raze the city."
"Monstrous! An emperor with absolute power, like the Aras Empire's ruler? To massacre 400,000 requires a formidable army. Begin fortifying Andoria immediately."
"Yes!" The crystal dimmed, ending the call. Wilmor felt the weight of 400,000 lives, including his family's, resting on his decision.
Village. Andrey's Perspective
Hours passed; the army was ready, and vehicles deployed. Andrey surveyed his 11,000 clone soldiers, backed by a towering Juggernaut, two AT-STs, two AT-TEs, and long-range SPMA artillery.
Time to march on Andoria. Raising his hand, the 11,000-strong army roared in unison:
"GLORY TO THE EMPEROR!" Andrey relished his authority and the significance of this day. Capturing Andoria would establish his state under absolute monarchy. He decided to deliver a rousing speech to cement his imperial image.
"Ahem. MY SOLDIERS! Today, our Empire's fate is decided. Shall we be crushed into the dirt, remembered as a pitiful empire that never spread its claws? NO! We are proud Imperials, blessed by God, armed with blasters, and our boots will trample the graves of these corrupt villains! We are destined to rule these lands and lead them to progress! GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!"
The army stood rigid, absorbing every word, seeing their purpose in serving him. They shouted:
"GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!"
"Go, my warriors! Conquer these lands for our great Empire!"
The army pivoted 180 degrees with precision, facing the road to Andoria, and marched in a grand formation to claim territory for the Empire. From a high pedestal, Andrey watched his forces advance under the sunset, savoring the dawn of his great Empire.