Private Returning Home

[Aurelian Sigismund]

Fist of the Empire
Avenging Knight

The First Order
FN-999 (restored)
​

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Zakuul | Zakuul System | Eternal Triumph Bridge

The Eternal Triumph returned to its home like many times before, yet never with finding it occupied. Not since the world was claimed by its oldest descendant had the world seen any foreign power sweep in and try to take hold of the world. And yet, now the standards of the First Order were flying above the Spire. In a most successful and skilled takeover, the forces of the Imperial state had came in and seized the world from its government. Their overlord, the Hegemon, and his forces were recovering from the fall of the Galactic Empire on Iokath and therefore had nothing to send to the support of the defence. Not that it would have mattered as the strike was as sudden as it was proficient.

Aurelian stood on the bridge of his old flagship, watching as the blue-green world and its red trabant laid before him. He had been born here, raised here, fought and bled for this place longer than many people could claim to live. Yet he had made contact with the new rulers, one in particular that he stood and fought with in the days of the New Imperial Order and its Empire. The former Baron of Borosk was an honoured companion and if he fought for the First Order, there was purpose there. The Zakuulan was very keen on supporting purpose, Imperial purpose and cause.

Therefore a meeting was overdue. Aurelian had the willpower and strength to support an imperial state. The First Order had the cause and assets. There was no ill will towards the taking of Zakuul and he had made so clear in his message to Nines, looking forward to a reunion and a renewed vigor for an Empire among the stars.

​

 

[FN-999 (restored)]

The Eternal Empire.
​

Like the current First Order, it was a revival of a long-dead imperial state. Or at least, it had been, until the First Order’s blitzkrieg conquest of Zakuul barely a year earlier. Yet key Eternal leadership figures had remained unaccounted for, and subsequent investigations had led to nothing but dead ends. Still, assuming that with most of the Eternal Empire's manpower and industry complying under First Order occupation, its few scattered assets remaining had been largely ignored to prioritize greater concerns.

That had been true up until a few weeks ago.

FN-999 had received a high-priority transmission directly from Director Braith of the FOSB, informing him that Aurelian Sigsimund, the Lord Imperator of Zakuul, had been identified for the first time since before the invasion of Zakuul. Furthermore, Aurelian had requested a direct audience with FN-999, and would soon transit directly to Zakuul.

At first, he had suspected the message was fraudulent. After all, why would the sovereign of the Eternal Empire be so cordial as to request an audience with a general from the very state who had just seized his capital? Yet the FOSB had verified that the message was in fact genuine, and that Aurelian in fact sought to contribute his support to the First Order. As shocking as it had initially seemed, it ultimately made sense.

Since then, the general had combed through every record and datasheet he could find, trying to discern the Imperator’s intentions before they met. Since the two had served together in the New Imperial Order as Moff of Vandemar and Legion Commander of the 908th respectively, Aurelian had founded and led two Imperial successor states: the Imperial Technocracy and the Eternal Empire. Both states embodied his philosophy of leadership, based on values of firm justice, discipline, unity, and merit.

Yet Aurelian had also served the brief Sith-dominated Empire in the Core and his own Sith heritage granted him considerable Dark Side powers. Left to fester, there was every risk that the Eternal Empire he had created could have transformed into a realm just as sadistic and cruel as those ruled by the Sith Lords in the Deep Core and the southwestern galactic frontier.

When meeting with Aurelian, FN-999 would have to carefully balance his impression of Aurelian in the New Imperial Order and his leadership in his successor states with his potential Sith alignment. He knew from experience never to take anything for granted, so while he hoped for the best, he had prepared for the worst.

Returning to the present, FN-999 let himself get lost in the gentle hum of the shuttle’s engines as the general and his entourage approached the Eternal flagship. Present with him were two squads of fully armored shock troopers chosen for their strength and experience, each equipped with orange pauldroned, jet-black commando armor and the new XG7 light machine gun. FN-999 himself was armed only with a simple blaster pistol, but anyone who truly knew the general understood that he was lethal even with his bare fists.

The shuttle began to slow as it entered the flagship’s vast hangars, guided to its spot before descending into a gentle landing. The shock troopers were the first to exit, enveloping their commander like a wall around a fortress. FN-999 stepped out between the two squads, the silvery ultrachrome of his armor gleaming in the bright overhead lights of the hangar bay. They strode deeper into the vessel as a single, unwavering unit, silently following their guides to meet their host.

The elevator doors opened, revealing the ship’s bridge and the red-skinned man who stood at its center. The squad in the front parted to make way for their general, who marched forward before stopping several meters away from his guest. He willed his racing heart not to cloud his judgement, even as the instinctive fear he felt around all and any confirmed Force users began to kick in.

“Greetings, Aurelian Sigsimund.” began FN-999, his calm voice betraying nothing of the conflict within. “We meet once more."

“I have been told you wish to lend your support to the First Order, despite the fact that we now occupy your capital. Or perhaps, because of that fact. Regardless, I am curious to hear what you have to offer."

Aurelian Sigismund ​

​

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

Fist of the Empire
Avenging Knight

The First Order
FN-999 (restored)
​

---

Zakuul | Zakuul System | Eternal Triumph Bridge

The Eternal Triumph was busy. Despite its diplomatic mission and its usually austere, clean appearance and aura, it was a buzzling hive of soldiers and crew pursuing their duties. The hangar had three elevated platforms in it for special craft and visitors, one which now held the shuttle of Nines, the others held command shuttles. Below them was the general hangar and full of starfighters that was being worked on, equipment containers and even soldiers working. It was a strong background noise, the smell of fuel, sweat and grease everywhere.

All was Imperial. They were mostly derivatives of Empire designs, either new or old, Stormtroopers were on watch-duty, TIE pilots tended to their crafts and officers briefed their units. Among them, here and there, were soldiers in black armor and red surcoats, standing out with their appearance but working alongside the other crew with no visible separation.

It was clearer on the platform.

Along the gangway leading towards the platform, stood an honour guard of them. A dozen on each side, their helmets directed at the ramp of the craft and the visitors, snapping at attention as they passed. Large shields stood in front of them, one hand on them while the other held a deactivated lightsaber pike. Indomitus Knights.

A single individual waited for the General of the First Order, dressed in a similar armor, yet slightly more ornate. He was tall, quite tall, a bit less so than Aurelian himself, his face was scarred from battles, with intense hazel eyes he watched the arrival like a guardian, an eagle that was ready to grab its prey in an instant. He offered a bow and to direct the delegation towards the meeting room. There were no guards following them, no escort just the single warrior leading them.

The bridge was almost empty. Two guards on the inside and a few individuals working in the pits at the flanks of the central walkway. Afterall, it was mostly operated by a GEMINI entity, simply joined by a mortal crew to ease coordination and communication with other organic elements.

"Well met, General. It has been a long time." Aurelian's voice offered and genuine greeting as he had turned towards the opening bulkhead after they came before him. He dipped his head in a respectful nod. "Zakuul may be my home and for the longest been under my protection, yet I wish not to oppose your operation here. From what I have learned, it was well executed and worthy to achieve victory."

"However that is not the sole reason I wave such claim. I will be plain and direct with you, Nines." He paused briefly as his tone had indicated an almost sentimental note. "The fall of the Galactic Empire, as inevitable as it was with its ridiculous and insane leadership and philosophy; and the demise of the Imperial Confederation, may its compromised nature never be seen again - have shown me one simple truth: the Imperial cause does not live and breath with continued division, with infighting over petty ambitions, pathetic separation of ideas of doctrine and most certainly not with the unconditional rule of Sithlings and their lickspittles."

"We are all part of the same construct and only when we realise that the engine works stronger, better when we see ourselves as parts of a whole, we will endure once more. Sularen's Final Dawn, the junkyards of Mahporeem, the Reclamation Authority, remnants of the Fel, the First Order - we are expressions of the same Order."

"With my extensive knowledge of the Unknown Regions, my influence on this very world we stand above and my strength, I can offer the most to the First Order. With my operation on Nirauan, I can further extend the influence of the First Order into Known Space and funnel supplies as well as information in both directions. My offer is wholly unconditional. Completely uncompromising."

 

[FN-999 (restored)]

It all seemed too good to be true.
​

Not only was Aurelian handing over his empire as little more than an afterthought, but he was offering fully unconditional support to the First Order. It would be one thing if a petty warlord were offering their fief to serve a vast Imperial state, but up until a year ago the First Order had practically zero territory to speak of. Furthermore, thanks to his seemingly fully crewed dreadnought, Aurelian still possessed considerable bargaining power.

As FN-999 continued to listen to the man’s speech, he began to consider if Aurelian was really enacting a clever scheme to make the First Order complacent before ousting them from his throneworld. There were certainly Imperial warlords who had done worse to each other in the name of a greater Empire.

Yet as limited as his political acumen was, he knew better than to outright reject Aurelian or accuse him of treachery. FN-999 would respond to the Imperator as if his intentions were genuine, and if they were, all the better for the First Order.

“Agreed, Aurelian.” concurred FN-999. “We are stronger united in purpose and function."

“Your offer is generous.” continued the general. “If the First Order already spanned the stars, we would accept your offer in a heartbeat. However, it is still very early in the development of our new order. We need an unshakable foundation if we wish to build an empire that does not inevitably become, to borrow your words, compromised."

“Therefore,” concluded FN-999, “While I do not doubt the First Order would look favorably upon your offer, we will likely need written guarantees before any alliance can be formed. Most critically, we will need official recognition of the First Order’s rule over Zakuul to prevent usurpers from rising up in your name, and we will need clear confirmation that your forces will fight alongside the First Order wherever they are needed."

“If both can be provided, then I will graciously accept your offer on behalf of the First Order."

Aurelian Sigismund ​

​

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

Fist of the Empire
Avenging Knight

The First Order
FN-999 (restored)
​

---

Zakuul | Zakuul System | Eternal Triumph Bridge

Aurelian did not need to be Force sensitive to feel the large shadow of doubt that was cast over his proposal. Nines did a good job of keeping it down but it was there, as bright as the sun generators of the Spire. And he could not fault him for it. Their ideology had been nourished by distrust and division and no remnant was keen on being overthrown.

"You need not to hide the caution towards such offer. Your demands are valid and will be met." The statement was simple and required no further elaboration. He nodded towards the single individual that had lead them to the bridge where they stood now. "Tassar will immediately set to work on the details of the proclamation." The other man, young looking, offered a silent bow of his head in return before taking out a datapad.

"Now while my coming is of a generous nature, I still require information on the First Order. Zakuulan Overwatch could only report so much before you dismantled it; and to efficiently steer my efforts for this realm, I need to know about it. What is the state of things? Where do we stand politically, economically and militarily?"

The Zakuulan stood unmoved, his eyes locked on the venerable Stormtrooper. He admired the man for what he was, for the simplicity of his being. Not in the sense of mundanity, but straight forwardness. Nines had served the New Imperial Order but he had come from the First Order and now returned there. Duty to order, duty to legitimate rule was more important than to any individual overlord. Loyalty that could not be bought, not be acquired. He had not been so foolish to throw in his lot with the followers of Solipsis just to serve a form of Empire. It was a sign of strong integrity.

He even envied it to a degree.

In the mind of the Imperator, the ongoing conversation occupied only a fraction of his attention. He was following events in the distant Outer Rim where other Remnants dwelled, there were the tithes for Iokath that needed readjusting, several requests of explorators to be granted their mining rights, a Warden's matter, and and and. Now the logistical challenges of the Unknown Regions post-Planeshift added to it, he may knew the worlds but they might have been moved and careful calibrations had to be made.

And yet above all that was the need for the Imperial cause to find a bearing and not one that it had done a multitude of times before. Aurelian would not stomach another Sith led Empire nor would he see another failed compromise come to life like the Confederation, he would rather tear it down. Everything had to be stripped of sentimentality and personal views. Only the New Order mattered. Only the end of disorder mattered. Only the end of the ... later, he thought, that will come later.

 

[FN-999 (restored)]

All in all, Aurelian seemed surprisingly receptive to the First Order’s demands.
​

Again, FN-999 found himself thinking that perhaps the man was too receptive, too eager to align himself with the new order. However, his suspicions were tempered when Aurelian asked about the current status of the First Order. Clearly, he was not simply trying to flatter FN-999 for the purpose of lowering his guard, nor was he blindly offering his service to whichever state controlled Zakuul. This was a man who had accepted the hand dealt to him and was willing to sacrifice personal glory for the good of the collective order.

FN-999 admired that trait in Aurelian, and it was almost enough to make him forget his fear of his potent powers.

“This iteration of the First Order is very much in its infancy.” began FN-999. “Politically, we consider ourselves the inheritors of the old First Order. As such, our guiding principles are effectively identical to theirs: uncompromising order brought about by a powerful military and a strong central authority, all carrying out the will of the Supreme Leader."

“Our economy,” continued the general, “is small on the galactic stage, but stable and growing. When the First Order occupied Zakuul, most of its previous industry was preserved in its entirety and its workforce was retained to provide the state with much-needed industrial expertise. Additionally, additional assets have been built or transported here since our takeover, such as the Orbital Primary shipyard."

FN-999 extended his arm to point outside the bridge, where a large shipyard loomed in Zakuul’s orbit behind a screen of Palmerian-class heavy cruisers.

“On that topic, there are two major state-run corporations which form the bulk of the First Order’s military-industrial complex. The first, Alge Imperial Shipyards, specializes in, as the name suggests, shipbuilding. The other, Zakuul Industrial Concern, produces nearly everything else as well as warships. Both corporations are vertically integrated through other state-owned subsidiaries, ensuring a constant flow of goods."

Finally came the subject of the military, which to FN-999 was nearly as familiar as walking or breathing.

“I can speak most directly for the armed forces, as I have advised First Order leadership on many of our doctrines. In its present form, the First Order’s military is a small, mostly conscript force formed largely of Zakuulians but also including a number of veteran officers from the former Imperial Confederation, Diarchy, and even the New Imperial Order. As a result, we have a seasoned and competent command staff whose success in seizing Zakuul in the first place proves their ability to handle the largely green conscripts under their authority."

“Our current military philosophy reflects our political and economic realities.” continued FN-999. “The Sith, High Republic, and even the Mandalorians vastly outstrip us in manpower and industry. So instead of immediately attempting to project power on a galactic scale and being inevitably crushed by our foes, our expansion will take the form of compact spheres of annexations accompanied by an extensive network of fortifications capable of being quickly reinforced by other First Order garrisons."

"Consequently, even if the First Order is still outmatched by the larger powers in open warfare, the cost of besieging garrison worlds tens of thousands of light years away from their core territory will simply not be worth it for the casualties expended and the relative ease at which a fallen world could be retaken before enemy reinforcements arrive."

“In short, until the time comes when it becomes a true galactic power, the First Order is an aquatic urchin, small but dangerous to touch from all angles and yielding little reward compared to the considerable effort needed to break it."

Aurelian Sigismund ​

​

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

Fist of the Empire
Avenging Knight

The First Order
FN-999 (restored)
​

---

Zakuul | Zakuul System | Eternal Triumph Bridge

Aurelian listened. For him the negotiations were over and the actual work begun.

"Zakuul's economy is highly reliant on droid labor, a factor which should be easy to maintain, especially if you have moved to conscripting people from here. Zakuulans have not experienced conscription since its time in Kalidan's Empire and not for long before that - their indoctrination must be thorough to suit the needs of what the military requires if you want to make them an efficient fighting force. They are culturally not very military-inclined, having always had a majority of non-organic troops deployed in its defence."

"My Techwrights are still delivering the majority of droids for the planet as well as its energy supply. Do you require specific additions or alterations? With conscription, do you have met targets? How is compliance looking? My proclamation should take much edge out of any dissent, yet it pays to be prepared."

He did not need to comment on the military philosophy and core of the army. If the General vouched for it, especially with seasoned veterans from old regimes, there was plenty of confidence in its heritage and legacy being carried over into present competence and ability. The military was the primary focus that Aurelian would commit to for the time being.

"With the rise of the last core Empire, I have launched a contingency recruitment plan in the form of Project Resurrection. Its unstable structures and volatile nature were destined to implode as it did and foreshadowing such, my powerbase has been collecting children, both from the Core when it was still Imperial and Outer Rim to raise them Imperial. I will transfer several units to your care and training."

With a casual blink he activated some controls on the ship and a holomap appeared around them. The focus was strangely shifted as the center was actually Zakuul and the Known Galaxy was far away, almost faded out. There were planets and systems with mostly designations rather than names and names which were completely unknown. The Unknown Regions fitted them.

"The Fortress Worlds approach is very compelling. We can use several planets coreward to fortify and block the path to Zakuul, there are a limited amount of hyperlanes to here and we can make them strongholds. There should be no focus on fortifying against the Unknown Regions, there are marauders, remnants of the Maw, petty warlords out there but we need to concentrate the efforts of that."

"Our focus of expansion has to be towards the Unknown Regions. Resources, manpower are abundant and unutilised there. But it also lacks large scale infrastructure."

He gestured towards the respective areas, highlighting worlds, systems and his apparent knowledge of the region itself. He was born here, he had lived here for hundreds of years and that became very obvious by now. Intimate knowledge of the place, even post-Planeshift. But his focus went once more to the General and his retinue.

"What is the state of the political leadership?"

 

[FN-999 (restored)]

FN-999 would have to be very careful with what he disclosed to Aurelian.
​

As much as he had learned over the past two decades governing Borosk prior to its seizure by the Mandalorians, FN-999 was a military man first and foremost. He lacked the finesse and effortless grace of career politicians, and he knew it. That was why he generally played it safe, keeping his cards in his hand until they absolutely needed to be used.

Furthermore, in the case of the First Order, even if FN-999 was a political prodigy, he was hampered by the fact that he did not have full disclosure on the dealings of the First Order leadership. Only Braith and a few top officials truly knew the present and future of First Order politics.

To be brutally honest would reveal a layer of uncertainty that may dissuade a pivotal ally at the moment when their presence would do the most to stabilize the First Order’s rule over Zakuul. Yet FN-999 was not at all confident in his ability to openly lie to a seasoned politician, yet alone one who possessed the mystical powers of the Force.

He would simply have to get selective with the truths he spoke.

“To be frank with you,” began FN-999, “I am a military man first and foremost. My knowledge of political philosophy and doctrine is limited, and you will likely find better answers from the FOSB or the Ruling Council itself."

“What I can offer however is a broad outline of the First Order as it stands as an institution."

“At this time,” continued the general, “the First Order is a very young state, its foundations still being built as we speak, both metaphorically and literally. As such, it is still vulnerable to turmoil from the top or from the bottom, as any young state would be. Your pledge of cooperation will aid greatly in alleviating the risk of revolution from below. Meanwhile the risk of a palace coup, while never zero, will likely decline as the First Order grows in strength and its leadership shifts their focus outwards rather than within.”

“In short, leadership, as with the First Order as a whole, is growing and developing to emerge stronger. Your contributions and feedback will help accelerate this."

Aurelian Sigismund ​

​