The single ship reverted to realspace just over the whitish world of Obroa-skai, popping into existance in the sector like a fly through a window. Despite the ranking of the ship's occupents, the Emperor himself and half a dozen high-level aides, the only escort came from four TIE Defenders that had entered the system with her, launching from the belly hold some distance out and making their own short jump in-system.
However insignificant, however, the effect was not lost on those inhabiting the system. Anywhere in the galaxy, save perhaps Jutraalian space, Demosthesian ships were looked upon with respect. A respect generated, perhaps, from fear, but a respect nonetheless. Out here, where the Empire's influence had begun to spread, advancing steadily since the liberation of Tholatin, there was more fear in the response than true respect. But that would change, in good time.
Mere minutes after the arrival of the ship, a flight of four Sinear Corporation TIE Interceptors, models modified from their Imperial counterparts and sold for civilian use, took off to intercept the incoming party. They were followed by a frigate, which hung back out of range of the ship, but which could surely intercept it before it could do any damage, and certainly outgunned the smaller Corvette.
Or so appearences would have one think.
Seti Ashar was not one to garner to much in the politics of the fleet, but he was aware that Trayden Locke and Bhindi Drayson had worked up some very interesting schemes to far as the military went, and these were being put to use in the war against the Jutraalians.
"What better place to test our might than on the battlefield?" Bhindi had once asked him, and he was inclined to believe. The Battle of Tholatin, if it could be called a battle, was evidence enough of the Black Fleet's abilities, despite the lack of serious losses on the enemy side. The fleet had, after all, taken not a single casualty and in return gained resources and assets, and of course managed to liberate an entire people in the process.
The people of Tholatin, naturally, still looked upon their new lords with some distrust. They had been to long under Kamon Vondiranch to simplu give up on him at the first upset, but this was certainly not the first. The first Jutraalian fiasco, where it had never been clear which ships in Tholatin's orbit were friends and which were foe, and of course the entire Wrath debacle. But the efforts of the Holy Demosthesian Empire to quell any uprising had been largely successful, with emergency Bacta and food supplies shipped across the planet within hours of the liberators' arrival, to replace that lost by the contamination, and later stop, of Bacta shipments to the planet.
The people were certainly starting to come around to Imperial rule.
Pity it won't last for much longer. Bhindi's plan, grusome in its entirity, but approved by the High Command, called for Tholatin to be denied to the enemy before it would be returned. And planetary denial was never a pretty business.
The Corvette was coming into low orbit now, with the planet filling all of the forward viewports, a great white orb hanging ahead of them. The TIE Interceptors had taken up flanking positions alongside their own TIE Defender escorts. There had been only a brief radio exhcnage upon their entry into the system, but now a half-meter holo appeared ahead of the vessel's communications officer, demanding to speak with the Emperor.
Seti offered the officer a simple nod, and the line was transferred to the small communications centre at the rear of the bridge. Much smaller than the main one, further down and at the back of the vessel, but adequete for this short exchange.
"Yes?" Seti said cooly, not yet sure who the caller was, and easily slipping into his reagal role of Emperor. The hologram showed a tall, thin man in a grey uniform that reflected that of the Imperial Moffs. A good sign, then, if it was any sort of flashback to that era, when the Moffs controlled this sector. An Imperial personality would be far easier to deal with than a Rebel one.
"I am Governor Tulor, Elected Leader of Obroa-skai," the man said equally as cooly, eying the Emperor up as much as the limitations of holo would allow. "And you, I presume, are Seti Ashar. Leader of the Holy Demosthesian Empire."
Seti frowned at the man's tone, allowing him to know that the Emperor was displeased, however slightly.
"I am, Govenor." He replied midly. "I seek an audience with yourself, at your earliest convience." There was a pause before a response came from the other man.
"And if I refuse, and choose simply to blast you out of space and do Chadd Fearsons a favour?" Seti's lup curled, and he kept himself from laughing.
"You could try, Govenor. But I think you would find the effects especcialy disastrous." The Emperor turned to one of the aides off screen, and nodded. Without warning, one of the laser cannons aboard the Corvette came active and lanced out, destroying one of the TIE Interceptors in a flash. The pieces of wreckage tumbled, falling to burn up in the planet's atmosphere.
"What-" Seti held up a hand, and the Govenor stopped speaking, glaring at the Emperor.
"A demonstration, only, Govenor." He said, tone the same as ever. "And one I
hope will not have to be repeated." He put only a little more strength into the one word, and the Govenor obviously understood his meaning. Outside, slowly, with some reluctance, the remaining three TIE Interceptors returned to their flanking positions, powering down their weapons as they did.
The Corvette bucked only slightly as the ship entered the atmosphere, and the hologram flickered in response. Slowly, all eight vessels appeared under the cloud cover and settled in towards a landing in Obroa-skai's capital.
"Welcome to Obroa-skai, Seti Ashar." Govenor Tulor said grudingly.
