[b]Aurora Vault[/b] [i]Move…[/i] His eyes slowly opened as the sounds of battle radiated all around him. Bodies dropped from both sides as weapon fire and foreign languages bounced of the vault’s walls as the dark armored Sith struggled to rise. [i]Move…[/i] He could feel it. Something was approaching, a danger that he did not comprehend but the urgency in his bones forced the fatigued Sith on to his feet. [i]Move…[/i] Dragos grasped his lightsaber that lay in the heads of a dead brute and activated the weapon as he sprung into action towards the vault’s entrance. This was his only opportunity to escape, he had to take it. The fighting was intense in the vault’s corridors but he had the advantage of being a lone target, swiftly moving through the ranks as he fought his way out. [i]Move…[/i] His helmet remained intact, his radio, his enhanced optics all of it. The communication back and forth from the Sith Lord and his recently arrived men was quick and decisive, both parties taking advantage of the chaos. As Dragos emerged from the vault he could feel the incoming presence closer and closer but fortunately his troop transport hovered in the sky waiting to retrieve him. With a mighty leap Dragos launched himself into the air, his hand just grasping the edge of the extended entrance ramp. With the aid of the very captain that refused to abandon his commander, Dragos hoisted himself into the fleeing vessel. [i] Move…[/i] The transport accelerated into outer space before the sight of the arrival of a new invader caught their eye. Moments before the transport jumped into hyperspace they watched this new foreign invader rain death below to the very location they just escaped from. It was obvious that due to the recent events the galaxy would never be the same. [b]Outskirts of the Galactic Center system[/b] The Sith transport stumbled out of hyperspace, its engines slowly propelling the craft forward to the massive armada before it. It was fortunate they did not have to travel far as their craft had taken considerable amount of damage in the rescue attempt of the Sith Lord but fortunately they were home. Dozens of mile long Imperial Class Star Destroyers floated in defensive positions along the gargantuan super dreadnought that lay in the fleet’s center. To the enemies of the Sith, the [i]Invincible[/i] represented the absolute pinnacle of Sith might but to the newly arrived men, it was home. Dragos was the first to walk down the loading ramp as a small crowd had gathered in anticipation for his arrival. As the Sith surveyed the massive hanger along with its assembly, he took a deep breath as if to relish moment that he had just evaded death. While the minor officers were there to simply serve as assistants, a pair of individuals in the form of the blue skinned humanoid alien in Grand Admiral Thrawn and the elderly grandfather like figure in Grand Moff Tarkin served to be quite the entourage. As Dragos moved to greet the assembly, it was apparent to all in the room that three of the most powerful and decorated individuals in the Empire were gathered in this small hanger and it was not coincidence. “Lord Dragos” Thrawn announced with a small bow. “It is an honor to see you again my lord” “Lord Dragos you seem well. It seems that your brief entanglement with the enemy was nothing more than exaggeration. I should have figured that such foreign scum stood no chance against our greatest warrior” Tarkin added on as he too offered a quick head nod to pay his respects. “Grand Admiral Thrawn, Governor Tarkin I was not expecting such an esteemed audience.” Dragos replied.“I’ve heard of your intentions but the vault has been destroyed. Let’s see to it that our outlying defenses remain on high alert in case something tried following us.” “Unfortunately my Lord that is not the case” Dragos gazed at Tarkin with a slight annoyance. Even though his armored helmet masked his facial expression, Tarkin could feel the Sith’s eyes gaze back into his. Tension grew in the moment, Dragos knew that having Tarkin and Thrawn gathered aboard his ship meant plans were in motion and these plans had yet to be consulted with him. “The Emperor has taken quite an interest with the variety of civilizations you encountered” Thrawn nodded in support, “It is true. The Emperor himself requested I return from my post on Cardia and once more serve as your fleet admiral” Before Dragos could respond the hanger’s door opened again, this time a hooded female approached the crowd, her presence completely changing the atmosphere in the hanger. While Tarkin and Thrawn exhibited an aura of calm professionalism, the hooded female walked with a certain royal confidence. She was incredibly beautiful, capturing men’s hearts was easy for her yet her eyes possessed a certain passion, she was without a doubt just as dangerous as she was attractive. As she got closer she smirked slightly as she stood before Dragos, not bothering to acknowledge the other gathered imperial officers. “Of all the people here, I expected you to be the first to see me” Dragos spoke, commenting on the female’s late arrival. “Forgive my lord but the Emperor desired to speak with me and now that you have arrived… he demands an audience immediately” Tarkin smiled at such punctuality, “It seems the Emperor himself wants to inform you of our plans regarding this new region of space. Lord Dragos we will hold you no longer, I’m sure you and the Emperor have much to discuss” Tarkin stepped to the side, gesturing Dragos to make his move. With little choice in the matter, Dragos made his walk towards his meditation chamber. The room was empty save for an elevated platform that lay in the middle. Stepping forward Dragos and his female companion both fell to one knee, their heads bowed as they could hear the transmission coming through. Within moments a holographic figure of an elderly hooded man appeared before the two Sith, yellow eyes focused downward at his kneeling apprentice. “What is thy bidding my master?” Dragos asked as he tilted his head upwards to meet the Emperor’s holographic eyes. “Lord Dragos, it seems we have new enemies” “Nothing we cannot deal with. Should they come within reach of our empire then I’ll be sure to be the first to respond.” “On the contrary Lord Dragos, you will go on the offensive.” Dragos paused for a moment as if to contemplate he heard the response right. “You cannot reasonably expect to take the Galactic Center by force? We cannot defend our territory and launch a massive invasion against these various civilizations, not at the same time” Dragos argued but his defiance was met with anger. “You forget my apprentice that a Sith is more than a warrior. A Sith is a manipulator, a tactician, an orchestrator of events. Brute force is not the only way you can conquer your enemy. You [b]will[/b] return to the Galactic Center, you [b]will[/b] meet with these various faction leaders, you [b]will[/b] befriend them, you [b]will[/b] learn from them and then you [b]will[/b] take from them when their use has expired. Who you decide to align with or manipulate is all up to you. All that matters is that you set the foundation for ultimate Sith triumph” “Such… tactics are rather beneath me.” Dragos replied, even though his helmet hid his facial expressions, both master and apprentice could feel the tension growing between them. “And your sense of honor insults me. You will do as I command.” The Emperor's voice gradually grew harsher, his blood starting to boil. “Your suggestions require time and patience, resources…” Yet an excuse. Dragos was one to usually never to complain but as he voiced his rather obvious disdain for the Emperor's plans, the hooded female had glanced over and offered to make a defense to ease the tension but the moment she opened her mouth, the Emperor had raised a hand to silence her, his gaze never leaving the kneeling man. “Time is our ally. By pushing our reach outwards our enemies will rush to meet it. The citizens of the Empire continue to enjoy their petty peace, they care little for the wars raged beyond our borders. You have no excuses” “If this is what you wish.” Dragos relented but his frustration still filled the air. “It is. This will be your greatest challenge yet. Completion of this task will set a foundation that will allow our Empire to prosper for a millennia. Do not fail me.” “I understand, my master.” “Good. See this through at once, I’ll expect an update soon.” Dragos rose to his feet, preparing to leave the room but the transmission continued. “Oh and one more thing Lord Dragos… the traitor that resides in the Republic lives. He has grown stronger… I foresee that you two will meet once more.” Dragos paused at this sudden news as his hands clenched into a tight fist. “If I see him… I’ll kill him” The Emperor visibly smiled, approving of the response. “We will see…. We will see” the transmission faded into nothing ending with the Emperor’s laughter of amusement.