Days had passed since the capture of Andora and the execution of those who opposed Andrey's rule. The citizens had become fully loyal to their new emperor, and Andrey contemplated further expansion once Andora was restored and trade resumed for profit. The young emperor also planned reforms to fortify his nascent, yet unrecognized state, confident that soon all would tremble at the mention of Emperor Andrey and his mighty empire, destined to conquer this world.
Standing on a balcony, Andrey surveyed his city, watching residents repair homes and clone patrols apprehend criminals. He savored the prospect of global dominion.
*SFX: System notification*
"Hm? A new system alert! What's in store this time? System, open the notification!"
"Congratulations, Master! By conquering your first city, you've unlocked a new structure and troop type: Aviation (TIE Fighter and Bomber)!"
"WHAT?! I'll have air forces now? With bombers, conquering the world will be a breeze!" Andrey leapt from his chair, dancing with glee.
"That's not all, Master. Conquering a city grants access to a special hero!"
"What kind of hero?" Andrey paused, intrigued.
"A unique hero from *Star Wars*, former Jedi and powerful Sith—Darth Vader!" Andrey's eyes widened in shock and elation.
"NO WAY! I CAN SUMMON LORD VADER? I'LL HAVE A NEW AIDE AND GROW STRONGER! System, what's the cost to summon this hero?"
"The price for summoning a new character is 1 million credits."
"Damn, that's steep! I just amassed that million. Summoning a *Star Wars* legend is worth it. System, summon Vader!"
"Understood, Master. Initiating payment… Complete. Commencing summon process."
Dark mist gathered in Andrey's room, the space trembling. A familiar silhouette flickered within. After five minutes, the iconic breathing of the Dark Knight echoed.
"*Khh-Pshh* Where am I?" The mist cleared, revealing Darth Vader—black armor, helmet, and flowing cape. He surveyed the room, then faced his master.
"Master… I am pleased to see you unharmed." Vader knelt, and Andrey stood frozen, overwhelmed with shock and joy at commanding such a legendary figure. Composing himself, he channeled Sheev Palpatine's gravitas.
"Rise… my apprentice."
"Yes." Vader stood, awaiting orders.
"Vader, our Empire faces threats. Rebels have risen and roam this world. This city is our last stronghold."
"Pathetic rebels dare defy the new order? *Khh-Pshh*," Vader said, enraged.
"Fear not, I have a plan to restore order and reclaim our power," Andrey said authoritatively, fabricating a narrative. His empire was new, not lost, but Vader's loyalty as his apprentice ensured compliance.
"As always, you are wise, Master *Khh-Pshh*."
"No need for flattery, Vader. We'll head to the dungeon to interrogate rebel prisoners."
"Yes, I will accompany you."
"Excellent. These rebels will feel our authority. The Sith's power will rise again, bringing… *peace*." Andrey inwardly squealed, thrilled to deliver this line, embodying a true Sith and emperor.
Andrey and Vader, escorted by clone soldiers, proceeded to the dungeon. En route, Vader spoke.
"Master, do you know these rebel prisoners?"
"Yes, two key figures: Princess Janet and the city's former lord, Wilmor."
"Former lord?"
"Indeed. Wilmor was loyal but defected to the rebels. My clones reported this, and now he's detained. I suspect they hold vital information for our Empire's advancement."
"Understood, Master *Khh-Pshh*." Vader nodded, satisfied, and fell silent.
Fifteen minutes later, they reached the dungeon—cold, damp, and empty save for dripping water and dangling chains. The previous day, it teemed with criminals, now serving sentences: thieves and assailants labored in mines, while murderers and robbers had been publicly executed. Crime in Andora had plummeted, though some still courted trouble—and death.
In the final cell sat Wilmor and Janet, famished and weakened, deliberately starved to sap their resistance, especially Janet's. Andrey ordered a clone to unlock the cell. The clone complied, and Andrey and Vader entered, eyeing their captives. Andrey targeted Wilmor, the weaker of the two. Approaching the gaunt man in tattered clothes, Andrey sensed his fear and anxiety—ideal for interrogation.
"Tell me, nobleman. Will you defy me again?" Andrey loomed over Wilmor, who raised his head, speaking in a hoarse whisper.
"N… no… I won't fight you."
"Good. Now, reveal all the kingdom's secrets you know."
"I know nothing… I was just a city lord, well, former."
"Don't lie. I interrogated other aristocrats who worked with you. I learned you're close to the King of Oldenburg."
"Don't tell him anything, Wilmor! You swore an oath to the king!" Janet shouted, trying to thwart Andrey.
"Silence!" Vader applied the Force, choking Janet.
"Vader! We need her alive—she's a rebel leader!"
"As you wish, Master *Khh-Pshh*." Vader released her, and Janet collapsed, coughing.
"*Cough* So, you're black knights… using the Force against people!" Janet's words piqued Andrey's interest.
"Oh? You know us? We are Sith, drawing power from the dark side. Are there Force-users in your kingdom?"
"*Cough* Those like you… are heretics. Holy Knights hunt your kind and kill them!"
"I see… Jedi exist here. Useful information."
"Master, Jedi are present?"
"Apparently, Vader. This complicates our plans. We're heretics in this society—hunted and targeted for death."
"Filthy Jedi, instigating this rebellion!"
"Indeed, Sith seem rare here, while Jedi abound. Vader, order clones to scour the city for Force-sensitive individuals, including children."
"Yes, Master *Khh-Pshh*." Vader turned and left to execute the command.
"Princess, I'm pleased you shared such information. You're quite foolish."
"What? How dare you! When I escape, my fist will—" *AARGH* Andrey unleashed Force lightning, silencing Janet.
"You're brave, Princess. I'll have to rewrite your personality."
"You want to bend me to your will?"
"You could join me willingly. The dark side is stronger than you imagine. Your Holy Knights are mere clowns to Sith."
"Filthy heretic, I'd rather die!"
"Really? Watch what I do to Wilmor." Andrey turned to Wilmor, who cowered.
"Wilmor, you have a family, yes?"
"Y-yes… where are they? What have you done to them?" Wilmor shouted, struggling.
"Soldier, kick him in the stomach to calm him," Andrey ordered a clone outside.
"Yes, sir." The clone entered and struck Wilmor's abdomen, eliciting groans of pain.
"Well done. Resume guarding the dungeon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Ugh… it hurts…"
"Shouldn't have been so rash. You're in no position to demand answers."
"I just want to know where my family is…"
"Oh? Very well. Guards! Bring his family!"
Footsteps echoed, and Wilmor saw his bound, terrified wife and daughter, gagged and weeping, pleading for his help. Powerless, he could only watch.
"Let them go! I'll do anything to keep them safe!"
"Anything? Then spill the kingdom's secrets!"
"Don't, Wilmor! Think of the lives this tyrant will ruin!" Janet interjected.
"Shut it, worm!" Andrey's Force lightning knocked Janet unconscious.
"Such a nuisance," Andrey scoffed, facing Wilmor, who was horrified by his power.
"I'll ask again: reveal… all… kingdom secrets," Andrey said irritably.
"Yes… I'll tell you! The kingdom possesses a powerful artifact capable of global destruction. Legend says activating it grants its discoverer immense power. But no one knows how to activate it—400 years of failure!"
"Oh? A world-destroying toy?"
"Yes… it's hidden, a secret known only to me and the royal family. Only the king knows its location."
"Valuable intel from a worm like you. As a man of my word, I'll reward you." Andrey signaled, and clones aimed blasters at Wilmor's wife and daughter.
"NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I TOLD YOU EVERYTHING! RELEASE THEM!"
"I understand your confusion. But you could betray me, exposing my power, army, and the secret I now know. Plus, I know you're lying."
"NO! I'M NOT LYING! IT'S TRUE!"
"Don't spout nonsense. My Force senses lies, and you're deceiving me. Planning to go rogue?"
"Fine! I'll tell the truth… the kingdom can summon a special hero in dire times, when annihilation threatens."
"What? A hero? From another world, I presume?"
"Yes… but the ritual occurs once every century. No hero has been summoned for over 500 years."
"Now *that's* the truth. You could've said this first and walked free."
"What will you do with me and my family?"
"Hmm, I'm pondering. Kill or release?"
"What? Why? I told the truth… I'll serve you loyally, my lord!"
"Now we're talking. From today, you're no longer an Oldenburg citizen but a proud Imperial, serving the Emperor and laboring for my Empire's prosperity."
"Yes… I'm ready."
"Splendid! Release them." Clones untied Wilmor, his wife, and daughter, who rushed to embrace, weeping dramatically—a scene Andrey found amusing.
"Elenora, Katarina… I thought I'd lost you…"
"We did too, Wilmor!"
"Papa, I was so scared!"
"It's alright now… we're no longer kingdom subjects." The family nodded, turned, and knelt before their new ruler.
"Glory to the Emperor!" they shouted.
"Well done. I'll assign you a room in my castle. Wilmor, from tomorrow, you'll work tirelessly for my glory!" The family departed, and Andrey was pleased.
Now with a skilled city administrator, Andrey recalled Wilmor's effective governance, evident in Andora's happy citizens before its fall. Leaving the dungeon with his guard, Andrey strolled through the orderly city—residents worked, clones patrolled, all was well. He remembered his access to TIE Fighters and Bombers. Checking the System shop, he saw the fighter factory cost 1.5 million credits, jaw-dropping. Another system notification arrived.
"Master, your production zones are distant from your location. Would you like to relocate them closer?"
"Hm… yes, I would. How much?"
"Relocating all structures costs 200,000 credits."
"Damn, my last funds. Fine, I'll earn more from factories and citizens tomorrow."
Andrey paid and headed outside the city, designating a field 60–70 meters away for his military-industrial complex and Imperial army base. As he did, Vader emerged from the gates, sparking a brief conversation.
"Master, these fields must belong to our Empire."
"Absolutely, my apprentice. In time, we'll restore order."
Andrey and Vader returned to the castle, plotting state expansion and power consolidation. Unbeknownst to them, 50 kilometers away, a 150,000-strong army led by Prince Eugene, Duke Roosevelt, and Marquis Felmor marched toward Andora.
"Your Highness, are you certain of victory against the enemy who seized the city?"
"Absolutely, Duke Roosevelt. After crushing these barbarians, we'll expose my father's weakness, forcing him to yield the throne. Then, as agreed, I'll grant you this city's governance—provided you remit a portion of its revenue to the treasury."
"Of course, Your Highness."