King Tyrol Sarkin sat at the head of the long rectangular table. On the sides of the table were the leaders of the military of his empire. On the left was Vice Admiral Alex Tandra, Admiral Genny Cutter, Commodore Charles Yuuzo, and Admiral Terrence Hall. These people were in charge of all the fleets of the Imperium. On the right was General Hal Lornek, Commanding General Orson Gray, and Colonel Penelope Galligher. The three were the commanders of every Ground Assault Ranger in the Gaean military.
Tyrol Sarkin knew he couldn't trust any of them.
For his entire life, Tyrol had been groomed as the king of an empire of an entire galaxy. Billions upon billions of planets, quintillions of people. All of them to be ruled by him. He knew that he was the most important of them. Why else would the universe deign to have him born into the royal family? It made perfect sense to him.
Admiral Hall was speaking. "With the additions of the Anikitos and the Andreios to the rebel fleet, as well as another dozen smaller capital-class ships and several hundred others, we do not currently have enough ships to take back the Centauri sector. We need to bring the Pacificus Sector Fleet into the Centauri sector if we want to take back the sector without impossible losses."
"Without impossible losses?"
All heads turned towards the king.
"W-well," sputtered Hall, "we all as-assumed we were trying to retake the-"
"I don't give a single hyperspacial particle about 'impossible losses,'" the king said quietly. "I gave orders that the sector be pacified with extreme prejudice, my dear admiral. Why, then, do you assume that I have had a change of heart? Why do you think at all?" The king's voice grew louder and harsher with every word, until he was practically screaming down the quivering Admiral's throat.
"I have given each of you command of my armies," the king said to them all. "I have made you the most powerful people in the Imperium next to me. You, all of you, are where you are because of me. ME!" The Admiralty was attempting to hide inside their impressive uniforms. Apparently a few medals and ribbons don't make very good protection.
Sarkin abruptly stood. The others followed suit.
"Kill them all. That is my final order. Get every single ship in the surrounding sectors and burn that place out of existence."
The Admiralty bowed and exited the room. Tyrol Sarkin sat back down and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Why didn't they see? Why did no one understand why the sector had to be destroyed? The Gaean empire was ordained by the universe. Any rebellions needed to be crushed.
Smashed.
Burned.
