[color=8882be]“He did what?!?”[/color]

The words of vitriol from the Emperor rang throughout the royal chambers on Anarris, deeply situated within the heart of Empire controlled territory, having dominated the land during the First Order’s retreat from their loss decades ago with the resistance.  The sheer anger and outrage from Emperor Tyroc was outright palpable, causing both Moff Bolair and Admiral Zerat to shrink back as he slammed his fist upon the armrest of his throne room.

“H-h-he did what he thought was best, my lord.”  Admiral Zerat began. “Rodia was going to side with the Republic, we couldn’t stand idly by while more territory was snatched up by--”

[color=8882be]“How dare you keep this from me, Zerat!  He had been planning to make a move like this, but I never thought he would go behind my back like this!”[/color] The Emperor said, rising from his seat and marching down the steps to his subordinates, his eyes fixed on the cowering man. [color=8882be]“I am going to had the Grand Admiral’s head for this, and then you will suffer a similar fate for this...this...treachery!”[/color]

“And what will that accomplish, my lord?”  Moff Bolair chimed in, trying to hide his trembling hands behind his back as he stood firm in the face of the most powerful man on the Planet. “You punish two of our most prominent admirals and then what?  The damage will still be done, and we’re going to need them!”

The Emperor whirled on his feet, locking eyes with the Moff as he spoke harshly from behind gritted teeth. [color=8882be]“What is that supposed to mean, Moff Bolair?  Would you care to elaborate such a careless stance?  Or should I punish you with the rest of the apparent traitors?”[/color]

“Emperor Tyroc, I know you’ve been trying to make an olive branch to the Republic...but the endeavour is hopeless.  They steal lands out from under us, undermine us whenever they get the chance.  We lose resources day by day, we lose people to the Republic, we lose everything!  It is clear that old hatred clouds their minds, and it’s time for us to act accordingly.”

[color=8882be]“I can’t accept that, and I can’t accept this vile attempt to undermine my authority!” [/color] The Emperor shouted back, walking back up the stairs to his throne. [color=8882be]“Assemble a squad of Stormtroopers to apprehend Grand Admiral Seyall.”[/color]

“My lord, listen to reason.” Admiral Zerat said. “The Grand Admiral did what was necessary,  and even if you do punish him for his transgressions, is that really going to stop the Republic at this point?  What are you going to do?  Apologize for his actions and grovel at their feet for forgiveness?  We’ll only be forced to give up more of our precious resources as reparations and be in a worse position than we already are.”

[color=8882be]“So you expect me to forgive Seyall for dragging us into a new war kicking and screaming?”[/color]

“Forgive?  No of course not.”  Moff Bolair chimed in, following the Emperor back up the stairs. “But with the ensuing backlash the Empire is going to take from this attack, you are going to need his skill in commanding the fleet.”

The Emperor did not respond immediately to the Moff’s words, exhaustedly flopping down to his seat and burying his head in a free hand, elbow propped on the armrest as a deep, disappointed sigh left his chest.

[color=8882be]“All that work...the years of repairing the bonds that were broken down in Galactic Civil War…”[/color] Tyroc’s words were shaky, a mixture of intense breathing and trembling in an attempt to supress the very real rage and fear the man was thinking. [color=8882be]“We were making good progress, every attempt we made was really building true peace between the Empire and the Republic, and that idiot breaks it down in a matter of hours.”[/color]

“You know what we have to do, My Lord.”  Moff Borial said, glancing with Admiral Zerat and nodding, their secret purpose confirmed in their eyes as they both approached the throne. “The Empire will not survive this war divided in purpose...we must show the Republic that we have not disappeared into the darkness after Palpatine and Snoak.  We are still the Empire, and its time we show the Galaxy it’s still under our control.”

The Emperor’s head rose from his hand, glaring at his two subordinates with a vicious scowl on his face.

[color=8882be]“Leave me,”[/color]  The Emperor proclaimed. [color=8882be]“I-I need...to process this, prepare the troops and the fleet for retaliation by the Republic.”[/color]

The two men bowed to their Emperor, another glance shared between them as they left his throne room, a wry smile crossing their faces as they both were aware their part of the Darth’s plan is one step closer to completion.

One way or another, The Empire and the Republic, bitter and eternal enemies, would once again be at war.