Star Wars: Empire of the Eternal Star

{Chapter: 19 The Dark Side of the Galaxy}

'Of course, I know I can't afford to offend you.' Leo roared in his mind, his fists clenched tight at his sides. A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead, his mind racing as he tried to suppress his emotions.

The Farin woman and her associate had left, but the tension still lingered in the air. The village specialist beside him eyed Leo with curiosity and concern.

"Aren't you going to Mos Espa Harbor for something?" the specialist finally asked.

Leo exhaled deeply and shook his head. "Forget it. Since this mission has a time limit, let's set off as soon as possible. We can go to Mos Espa later." He forced a small, self-deprecating smile. "Besides, this is the person who issued the commission. It seems that I have no choice but to make this trip."

He tried to sound casual, but inside, a storm was brewing. Every instinct told him this was a dangerous game. He had initially come to Tatooine for one reason: to meet him.

The Chosen One—Anakin Skywalker.

Leo had been eager to meet the young boy who would one day shake the galaxy to its core. At this moment, Anakin was nothing more than a slave, no more than seven or eight years old, but his destiny was already written in the stars.

However, as much as Leo wanted to see him, the opportunity wasn't going anywhere. He still had time. There was no rush.

More importantly, he had come out here for more than just a fateful meeting. He needed to see the galaxy with his own eyes, to experience its wonders and dangers firsthand. As the leader of the New Civilization, he couldn't afford to sit behind a desk, relying only on secondhand reports and diplomatic briefings.

No leader could build a future by hiding in an office.

Survival, growth, and prosperity—these were the goals of his people, and Leo had to pave the way himself.

Besides, he was the only one who knew the true story of Star Wars. He couldn't just tell others what would happen; too many things could change if he interfered in the wrong ways. That meant he needed to act carefully, making decisions based on both his knowledge and what he learned firsthand.

---

Back at the Lancer, the crew was busy with final preparations. Quinto and Spard were making last-minute checks inside the cabin. Truda had done an excellent job repairing the ship—fuel tanks were topped off, water and food supplies fully stocked. Everything was in place for their departure.

Yet, Leo remained distracted, standing by the viewport and staring out into the dusty expanse of Tatooine.

Edison walked up and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Do you know that person just now?"

Leo didn't answer immediately. He exhaled slowly before responding.

"You mean the Muun?" He shook his head, a slight frown forming. "Judging from his appearance, he's a member of the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Damask Holdings might be one of their subsidiaries, but regardless, they're not people we can afford to cross."

Quinto, still running checks nearby, overheard and chimed in. "The InterGalactic Banking Clan's influence stretches across the entire galaxy. No one dares defy them. If you do, their fleet of collection agents will arrive before you can blink, and they'll take everything you own."

Leo sighed internally. If only that were the worst of it...

"This name... this outfit..." He hesitated for a moment. "I can't say I know him personally, but I've heard legends about him. He's one of the most dangerous figures in the galaxy, but fortunately, he doesn't seem like it on the surface. I just can't believe we ran into him, of all people, in such a vast galaxy."

Leo clenched his jaw. If his knowledge of Star Wars was correct, that man was none other than Darth Plagueis the Wise.

A Sith Lord.

The Sith were the remnants of an ancient empire that had waged war against the Galactic Republic thousands of years ago. Like the Jedi, they were powerful Force-users, but they embraced the dark side, feeding on their desires and ambitions without restraint.

While the Jedi sought balance and self-discipline, the Sith pursued power, dominance, and control. Their actions were driven by passion and emotion, and they had no qualms about using any means necessary to achieve their goals.

Though the Sith Empire had long since fallen, the Sith Lords had never truly vanished. They hid in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike and overthrow the Republic.

And Leo knew that, in just over a decade, they would succeed.

That was why he had set the tone for the New Civilization.

War.

The New Civilization had to be prepared for the coming storm. The galaxy was on the brink of a cataclysm, and only those who were ready would survive.

At present, the New Civilization had a bright future. Given a hundred years, it could grow powerful enough to stand against the Galactic Republic itself.

But he didn't have a century.

He had just over ten years.

Developing the New Civilization into a full-fledged interstellar power in such a short time was impossible—at least, not alone. But now, thanks to Hego Damask II's sudden commission, Leo saw another path.

If he couldn't prepare for war alone…

Then he needed powerful allies.

And who better than the InterGalactic Banking Clan?

Hego Damask II was one of the most influential figures in the galaxy's economic structure. If Leo could form an alliance with him—if he could gain access to the vast wealth and industrial capabilities of the Banking Clan—it would accelerate their war preparations immensely.

With such resources at his disposal, the New Civilization wouldn't just survive the coming war.

They could win.

But the cost…

The cost was dealing with Hego Damask II, a Sith Lord with ambitions beyond anything the galaxy had ever seen. A man who could manipulate the very fabric of fate itself.

Leo's thoughts swirled as he gazed out the viewport, his mind turning over the possibilities.

Outside, the Lancer YT-1000 rumbled as its engines powered up. The ship lifted off from the desert sands of Tatooine, climbing higher and higher. The orange sky faded into the inky blackness of space as they broke free of the planet's gravity well.

Inside the cockpit, Murt flicked a switch, activating the hyperspace drive. The stars outside elongated into streaks of white as the ship jumped to hyperspace, vanishing in an instant.

Their course was set.

Their path, uncertain.

---

At the same time, on the outskirts of the Endor system, deep within the hyperspace lanes of the Moddell sector, a Z-10 Explorer-class light spacecraft streaked through the swirling tunnel of hyperspace. The ship, built for long-range exploration, hummed softly as its systems worked to maintain a stable course.

Inside the cockpit, the pilot adjusted a few controls before turning to address his passengers—two robed figures standing quietly behind him. Their large, coarse cloaks concealed much of their features, hoods drawn low over their faces.

"Mr. Qui-Gon Jinn, we are about to exit hyperspace," the pilot announced, his voice steady and professional.

One of the cloaked figures, a tall man with a strong yet calm presence, turned slightly toward his companion. Though much of his face remained shadowed, his deep voice carried a note of concern.

"Do you feel it, Obi-Wan?" he asked. "The disharmony in the Force?"

The younger man beside him lifted his head slightly, his sharp features illuminated by the dim cockpit lights. His short brown hair was neatly kept, save for a single long, thin braid hanging from his right temple—an unmistakable mark of a Jedi Padawan.

"I can feel it, Master," Obi-Wan Kenobi replied, his brow furrowing. "It's faint, but... unsettling. The Force feels unbalanced here, like an echo of something powerful lingering in the void."

Qui-Gon Jinn exhaled softly, folding his arms beneath his cloak. "There are still residual fluctuations in the Force. Whatever happened here, it left a scar. I believe we've come to the right place. But whether or not the disturbance remains, we must be prepared. If its presence is strong enough for even Master Yoda to detect from Coruscant, then this is no ordinary anomaly."

Obi-Wan nodded, his expression serious. "What's our course of action, Master?"

Qui-Gon's lips curved slightly in a knowing smile. "We must listen to the Force. Let it guide us instead of imposing our will upon it. The natural order of the universe has its own flow. To force change upon it recklessly will only deepen the chaos."

Obi-Wan hesitated, considering his words carefully before speaking again. "Then... does that mean you don't approve of this expedition?"

The Jedi Master chuckled softly. "I never said that."

The cockpit shuddered slightly as the ship's systems prepared for reentry. Beyond the viewport, the swirling tunnel of hyperspace suddenly collapsed, replaced by the infinite blackness of real space. Stars once stretched into long streaks of light now stood still, twinkling against the void.

Before them, a massive celestial body loomed—a light blue gas giant, its swirling clouds shifting in mesmerizing patterns. Several moons orbited the giant, their surfaces reflecting the faint glow of a distant sun.

Inside the cockpit, a sudden alarm beeped from the control console. The co-pilot swiftly pressed a few buttons, and a holographic projection of the system flickered into existence. On the display, several red-marked objects blinked ominously.

"Sir, we've detected artificial structures in orbit," the co-pilot reported.

Qui-Gon stepped forward, studying the projection with narrowed eyes. The system's holographic map zoomed in, revealing three massive, fan-shaped mining stations anchored in orbit around the gas giant. They were immense constructs, each equipped with large automated drilling platforms, steadily extracting resources from the planetary atmosphere.

Beyond the stations, dozens of transport ships drifted along their designated flight paths, ferrying processed materials to awaiting cargo freighters. The constant movement of vessels suggested a well-established operation.

Qui-Gon frowned. "Mining operations… in such a remote sector?" He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "This region is far from any stable hyperspace routes. The logistical costs alone should outweigh the potential gains. What could be valuable enough to justify the risk?"

Obi-Wan scoffed, his expression tinged with disdain. "Perhaps those Neimoidians from the Trade Federation have found another way to cut costs. Greedy merchants aren't known for their restraint."

Qui-Gon turned to his apprentice, his gaze firm. "Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment, Obi-Wan. This is your greatest weakness. Caution must outweigh assumptions."

Obi-Wan sighed and lowered his head slightly. "I understand, Master."

As the Jedi observed the mining stations, an unshakable feeling settled over them—a whisper in the Force, elusive yet undeniable. Something was here.

*****

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