Star Wars: Empire of the Eternal Star

{Chapter: 6 Uninvited Guests}

"Hyperspace communication? This means intelligent life! And they have the capability for space travel!" Leo's eyes widened in shock. "Selene! Pinpoint the exact location where the signal originated. Notify all combat personnel and dispatch them immediately to secure the area! Graham, you're in charge of coordinating operations on-site!"

[Understood.]

Without hesitation, a transport ship carrying an elite squad of Marines took off, soaring toward the coordinates provided by the mothership's advanced systems.

"Administrator, you don't look well. You should return to the mothership for medical evaluation," a female crew member said, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine." Leo waved off the concern, though his expression remained grave. Turning his head, he gave a firm nod. "Let's move, T-850. We need to apprehend the individual who sent that signal before they vanish." Without another word, he strode toward the helipad, where a transport ship had just completed unloading its cargo.

Following the directions from the mothership, Leo, T-850, and a small squad of Marines soon arrived at a rugged, barren hillside. The transport ship that had been dispatched earlier had already landed at the entrance of what appeared to be a concealed cave. More than a dozen heavily armed Marines stood in formation, sealing off the entrance, sporadically firing controlled bursts into the darkness within.

Each Marine carried a Type 21 assault rifle—an advanced yet somewhat outdated weapon in this age of interstellar warfare. It was painfully obvious that, while enemy forces wielded cutting-edge energy-based firearms, they were still reliant on conventional ballistic weapons. If others were firing precision laser pulses—biubiubiu—and they were still operating with rapid-fire kinetics—dadada—it was clear they were at a technological disadvantage.

"Status report!" Leo barked as he approached the team leader.

"There are three hostiles inside," the Marine officer replied, keeping his eyes trained on the cave entrance. "They've been pinned down, but they refuse to surrender. We haven't been able to establish any form of communication; they don't seem to understand our language. Capturing them alive under these conditions is proving difficult."

"Proceed. I want them alive," Leo commanded, his gaze shifting toward the T-850, eager to test its combat capabilities.

Without hesitation, the T-850 seized a large metal cargo container from the transport ship, effortlessly tossing it to the ground with a resounding thud. Then, using a single hand, it began pushing the massive container forward, advancing toward the cave with surprising speed.

From within the depths of the cave, panicked voices shouted in an unfamiliar dialect before red energy blasts erupted outward.

The hostile fire struck the advancing metal container, the scorching beams leaving glowing marks but failing to penetrate. The T-850 remained undeterred, methodically advancing like an unstoppable juggernaut. Seeing the effectiveness of the impromptu shield, Leo crouched low and followed closely behind.

As they pressed deeper inside, the cave revealed itself to be more than a natural formation—it was a hidden base. Various supplies, weapons, and communication equipment were scattered throughout. Three individuals, dressed in explorer's attire, were taking cover behind stacked crates, blindly firing their energy weapons in desperation. Their rapid, panicked speech suggested a mix of fear and frustration, making them appear more like cornered criminals than organized resistance.

Then, without warning, the T-850 stood up. Several blaster shots struck its chest, leaving smoldering holes in its uniform. But the machine merely flinched, utterly unfazed. In response, it lifted the massive metal container it had been using as cover and hurled it toward the hostiles with terrifying force.

BOOM!

Crates shattered, debris scattered, and a dust cloud engulfed the area.

When the dust settled, the three individuals had already fallen to their knees, hands raised high in immediate surrender. Their abrupt compliance was so synchronized that Leo briefly entertained the absurd notion that they had practiced this exact scenario beforehand.

"Take them back to the mothership for interrogation. Begin language analysis immediately," Leo ordered, rubbing his temples. "Search the area thoroughly. Salvage anything that could be of value."

The Marines surged forward, swiftly subduing the captives. Meanwhile, Leo's attention shifted toward the blaster pistols discarded on the cave floor. He narrowed his eyes, recalling the sensation he had experienced earlier. Slowly, he extended his hand.

A moment of silence.

Then, as if responding to an unseen force, one of the blaster pistols trembled slightly before floating into the air and gliding into Leo's waiting palm.

Leo's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

The three captives, however, were visibly terrified. Their faces paled, their eyes darting around as if searching for an escape that no longer existed. They refused to meet Leo's gaze, their entire demeanor that of men who had just witnessed something beyond their comprehension.

As they were escorted out of the cave, they encountered a group of small, furry bipeds—primitive yet oddly intelligent-looking creatures.

Leo gestured toward them and asked the captives, "Ewok?"

Even with the language barrier, the name itself remained unchanged.

The three nodded rapidly, as if their very survival depended on it.

Leo then pointed to the ground beneath them. "Endor?"

Another round of eager nods. Then, after a brief hesitation, one of the captives pointed to himself and said, "Corellia."

He then traced an arc in the air, saying, "Tatooine."

Finally, he drew another arc and pointed downward. "Endor."

Leo raised an eyebrow. So they came from Corellia, passed through Tatooine, and ended up on Endor?

Correction—Dawn. This planet is mine now.

There was no time to admire the scenery, though. With confirmation that they were dealing with individuals from the "Star Wars" universe, along with the successful capture of key figures, it was time to return to the mothership.

Upon arrival, the prisoners were thrown into holding cells, and the language decryption process was handed over to the Mastermind AI. Meanwhile, Leo made his way to the bridge, deep in thought. He accessed the personnel database and opened the list of available elite specialists.

A wealth of options appeared before him. Among them were several renowned biologists, all of whom could be revived under the right conditions. Their requirements were minimal—only a habitable planet with a stable ecosystem, basic laboratory equipment, and living quarters slightly above the standard worker accommodations.

Leo exhaled slowly, his fingers hovering over the interface. It was time to make a decision.

He needed reinforcements, and he needed them now.

Leo was well-acquainted with the operational procedures and the routes necessary to establish a foothold on the Dawn Planet. Without wasting time, he initiated the awakening sequence for a team of biologists, instructing them to report to the medical bay immediately upon revival. Following thorough medical examinations to ensure their fitness for duty, they were directed to the bridge, where they provided an initial briefing on their planned research objectives. Once their instructions were clear, they collected their specialized experimental equipment and boarded a transport ship bound for the surface of the Dawn Planet.

These biologists had a crucial mission ahead of them. Their primary objective was to analyze the planet's ecosystem, mapping out the food chain structure to determine which crops could be cultivated successfully. If native agriculture proved incompatible with human consumption, they would need to identify and adapt local crops to sustain the colony. Additionally, they were tasked with assessing whether terrestrial livestock—such as pigs, cattle, and sheep—could survive and reproduce under the planet's environmental conditions. In parallel, they would investigate indigenous fauna, seeking out viable sources of protein that could be integrated into the settlers' diet.

Recognizing the scope of these responsibilities, Leo decided to awaken an elite-class expert specializing in management and colonial development. This individual would serve as his right hand in overseeing and streamlining the establishment of a sustainable settlement.

Before long, a poised woman in her early thirties stepped onto the bridge, her movements precise and efficient. She approached Leo with a composed demeanor, offering a formal salute before speaking.

"Hello, Administrator. I am Daphne Clement. In accordance with your directive, I will be assisting in the development and construction of the colony. Please grant me some time to review the existing infrastructure and evaluate the current progress. Once I have a complete understanding of the situation, I will immediately begin drafting and implementing comprehensive plans to optimize the colony's expansion."

Leo studied the information displayed in the database regarding Daphne Clement. Her credentials were impressive—she had once spearheaded refugee resettlement programs and led post-disaster reconstruction efforts in regions devastated by calamities. One notable achievement detailed her work in a disaster zone obliterated by a super tornado. She had managed every stage of relief and rehabilitation, from establishing emergency tent shelters and distributing vital aid to constructing temporary housing and ultimately overseeing the reconstruction of entire towns. Her ability to orchestrate large-scale logistical operations with precision and efficiency made her an invaluable asset to the colony.

Unlike some specialists who required complex resources for activation, Clement's requirements were relatively minimal. As long as she had an adequate supply of materials and a reliable workforce, she could execute her duties effectively. Interstellar colonization was a field of trial and adaptation—many solutions could only be discovered through experience. Clement was an embodiment of this principle.

Leo nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "Your expertise is greatly appreciated. Please begin work immediately. To streamline operations, I am granting you the authority to awaken ordinary residents as necessary. You may proceed with awakening up to one hundred individuals without requiring my direct approval. Additionally, I am appointing you as our first Chief Executive."

Clement straightened her posture, a glimmer of determination in her eyes as she saluted once more. "Understood, Administrator! I also have a personal team of professionals whose assistance would be invaluable to our efforts. I would like to request their awakening."

Leo gestured dismissively, indicating his prior statement. "As I said, awakenings under one hundred individuals fall within your jurisdiction. Additionally, the five civilian staff members who have been handling administrative duties will now report directly to you. You will be the head of the administrative department."

"Understood, sir." Clement acknowledged the directive before promptly departing to commence her responsibilities.

With Clement handling the logistical and infrastructural aspects of the colony, Leo turned his attention to a pressing matter. He instructed the Mastermind AI to open an interactive data interface and began sketching a vertical timeline. With precise strokes, he started marking key historical events along the galactic timeline.

At the very top of the timeline, he noted the long-standing conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. This prolonged period of struggle was followed by an extensive era where the Galactic Republic reigned supreme. Moving downward, Leo identified the moment when the Republic fractured, leading to the rise of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He labeled this turbulent epoch as the First Galactic Civil War.

Further down, he drew an 'X' over both the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy, marking their collapse and the emergence of the Galactic Empire as the dominant force across the Terex Sector. But history repeated itself, and eventually, the Empire split once more, leading to its opposition against the Rebellion. He designated this chapter of history as the Second Galactic Civil War.

On the side, he sketched a planet, marking it with the name "Endor." He then crossed it out and labeled it as "Dawn Planet," signifying its new identity under his rule. A large red 'X' followed, signifying its historical importance as one of the war's main battlefronts.

Finally, beside the entire timeline, Leo drew a bold question mark. He leaned back, scrutinizing his work with an intense gaze. The lack of war remnants or significant battle damage on Dawn Planet suggested that they had arrived in a period preceding the Second Galactic Civil War. However, given the vast expanse of history between these events, pinpointing their exact position in time remained a daunting challenge.

Leo exhaled deeply, drumming his fingers against the console. He needed more data—clues hidden within the surrounding star systems, encounters with native factions, or historical records left behind. Only then would he determine where, or rather when, they were in the grand scheme of galactic history.

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{1}: This blaster beam is the weapon in the movie "Star Wars" that is used to fight fiercely and is often referred to as a "slow laser". In fact, it is not a laser, but a plasma-like blaster gas, which will be explained in detail later.

{2}: Just like "Mechanic of the Infinity Saga", Xiao Jing will take everyone step by step to appreciate the world view and plot of "Star Wars". Even if you have not read this series, you will understand it after reading my book.