Star Wars: Darth Nyx (Book 1)

Ch28: This Means War

With war officially declared and our fleet established, our forces pushed forward with immense speed securing Mandalore, Columex, Cadinth and Voss in a matter of days. Most of the populace from the latter world have seemingly heard and seen how good life under our rule has proven for their neighbouring world Lianna as they offer little resistance and the few that do are immediately crushed by our Sith alchemists who take them back to Korriban for experimentation.

The Empire refrained from launching another major offensive, electing to fortify its defensive lines but our spies managed to confirm that their delayed offensive was little more than a rouse as they rushed to complete Project Stardust. Despite our best efforts, however, we are unable to identify what the project is.

We also returned to Celanon but this time, rather than raid the world we blockaded the system hoping to draw out the Empire and they responded by sending five Star Destroyers which were quickly destroyed. Still, I got the feeling things wouldn't be so easy and as such had the rest of the Mandalorian population evacuated from Mandalore and relocated to join their brethren on Dromund Kaas. They weren't happy about this at first but it would prove to be the best move I've ever made.

As the year continued to flow by, we continued seizing outer rim planets, including Desevro, the battle for which resulted in the complete destruction of Imperial rule over the Tion Cluster (Caluula sector). With their absorption into the fold, my Empire could now boast over 500 billion citizens and with the addition of entire planets dedicated to producing food, ores and other necessities, we became fully self-sufficient.

The Kaminoans further perfected their methods, managing to shave a year and some months off clone development time leading to our clone army tripling in size to having a little over 1.5 million men and women in addition to our standard army. Most of these clones would be deployed to the front lines piloting fighters and bombers or crewing starships but a few would remain on our various worlds as garrisons or recon officers stationed at remote listening outposts. One such outpost was on the now abandoned planet of Mandalore.

It was above this planet that the truth of Project Stardust would be revealed.

Fennec Shand's POV:

It's weird being on a planet that seems so lively in architecture and yet is so silent. If I didn't know better, I'd think someone dropped me into one of those horror films.

Clone: Lady Shand, the patrol team is about to head out.

Me: Remind them to keep in touch.

Clone: Yes, ma'am.

I can't believe the Empress stationed me here. I mean, it is a nice change of pace and I do enjoy having the clones address me as Lady Shand due to my boss being the Empress herself but...it's so boring!

I still remember the conversation she had with me like it was yesterday. She said she was sending me due to my excellent observation skills. She said I'd perhaps be able to spot things others couldn't and yet...THERE IS NOTHING HERE!!

Sighing, I take a seat on the balcony of the palace we're using as our base. Overlooking the city, I can easily spot the patrol as they fly off in one of our fighters. They're using a regular TIE Fighter as the Empress figured rather than outright decommissioning so many fully functional assets it'd be better to repurpose them for smaller tasks such as this. I must say, I do admire her thinking. She's proven herself a great ruler but I can't help but wonder if she has an ulterior motive.

Clone: Ma'am. We're detecting a ship exiting hyperspace.

Me: Is it one of ours?

Clone: No ma'am. I don't recognise the vessel. More ships are entering alongside it. They are Star Destroyers.