20th May, Space Era Years 103.
Barely months after surviving the internal storm that had nearly torn her Empire apart, Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors faced a new threat — one not born within her borders, but from the cradle of mankind itself: Earth.
The United Earth Government enacted a controversial new law authorizing the formation of Privetia, a fleet of state-sanctioned privateers — legalized pirates empowered to "confiscate" star freighters belonging to embargoed nations, with Centory Kingdom Reich listed foremost among their targets.
Under the guise of "safeguarding the security of humanity," Privetia ships began raiding Centorian convoys, hijacking fuel carriers and looting trade routes.
Centorian media gave them a name that spread like wildfire through every broadcast channel:"Uniformed Pirates."
In a matter of weeks, hundreds of Centorian merchant vessels vanished.The interstellar economy began to shudder.
When word of the attacks reached the Imperial Palace, Aelyzabeth, still bedridden and breathing through a ventilator, rose to her feet. Her voice, though frail, carried the weight of iron.
"If Earth dares to use pirates as weapons...then we shall forge our own — as an army."
Thus was born the Corsair Fleet — the State Pirates of Centory.
The Founding of the Corsairs.
On 20th May, S.E. 103, the Centory Empire formally established the Corsair Fleet under Imperial Decree.
Unlike Privetia, which served Earth's private contractors, the Corsairs were state property — funded by the Treasury, commanded by the Space Navy, and sworn to the Centorian flag.
Before each launch, captains stood beneath the Banner of the Dragon Star and vowed their allegiance to the Empire:
"By blood, by iron, and by void —we sail for Centory."
Their mission: to raid, intercept, and dismantle every vessel allied with Earth and her satellites.
The galactic press would soon christen them:"The Knights of the Void."
The Economic War.
The conflict's spark had begun with a single trade decree:Earth's imposition of a 50% import tax on Centorian goods.
In retaliation, Aelyzabeth Thors implemented the Alien National Security Act, mandating full surveillance on all Terran citizens within the Empire.Their assets were frozen, their movements tracked, their privileges revoked.
Earth countered with an 80% tariff — a declaration of economic siege.
Aelyzabeth's answer was swift and cold.
"Recall our envoys. Send theirs home.We have nothing left to say to the planet of hypocrites."
By dawn, the Centory Empire had severed diplomatic relations with Earth.The galaxy entered what historians would later call the Interstellar Cold War.
The Scandal of the "Weapon"
On 30th May, S.E. 103, Earth's government made a damning announcement:They claimed to possess intelligence from Margaret von Thors, Aelyzabeth's estranged elder sister, alleging that Centory had developed a weapon of mass destruction — a violation of the Galactic Arms Treaty.
The United Galactic Union (UGU) dispatched inspectors to verify the claim.
But upon their arrival, the world witnessed a spectacle broadcast live across the stars.
Aelyzabeth von Thors, her face pale yet burning with fury, appeared before the cameras:
"You blind fools still believe yourselves the center of the universe?My Empire answers to no one —least of all the witless mongrels of Earth!"
Her trembling words silenced the assembly.For the first time, the Iron Empress of Centory had bared her raw emotion to the cosmos.
The inspection collapsed in humiliation, and Earth's suspicion turned into unbridled hatred.
The War in the Shadows.
In response, Earth began covertly funding exiled New Hope politicians and resistance cells within Centory.
Aelyzabeth retaliated with a single, chilling directive:
"Erase them all.No traitor shall remain to stain the Empire's name."
Within forty-eight hours, the Centorian military purged every insurgent faction.Entire colonies fell silent.
Then, in a stroke of dark genius, Aelyzabeth turned the blade outward —establishing the Shadow Fund, funneling weapons and technology to anarchist uprisings across Earth's continents.
Cities burned. Governments trembled.Earth descended into chaos — while Centory sealed itself behind walls of steel and stars.
The Closed Nation.
At last, Aelyzabeth von Thors issued her most audacious decree:the Isolation Edict.
"Centory shall close its gates to the galaxy.We shall trade with no one, speak with no one,save for our ancient allies — Thailang and Evening."
Commerce between the worlds collapsed overnight.Privetia and Corsair fleets clashed daily among the star lanes, leaving wreckage adrift like ghostly monuments.
The interstellar economy spiraled into ruin.Worlds dependent on imports starved. Nations fell.Yet Centory endured — its industries self-sustaining, its energy infinite, its faith unbroken.
It stood alone — proud, cold, and unyielding.
The Empire of Isolation.
And on the last page of the Corsair Fleet's founding ledger, beneath the seal of the dragon and star, Aelyzabeth's words were inscribed:
"If Earth makes piracy law,then I shall make war justice."— Lord Aelyzabeth Thors,Corsair Decree, 20th May, S.E. 103.
Thus ends Chapter C-XX.