The aura of the Lantillies palace was heavy with dread. Troopers stood to attention, staring directly forward as they flanked the Lantillian throne. They dared not move their eyes elsewhere, lest they drew his attention. Lord Akann sat on the high seat, slouching with boredom as a nervous officer rattled off a report he cared little about. The man’s stammering irritated him, distracting him from what was, he was sure, very important information about the ongoing war in his sector.
“Republic forces have occupied the Uyter sector and taken up positions along the length of the Randon Way. Our patrols have engaged their reconnaissance parties on sight, but there have been no significant exchanges.” The officer paused, swallowed, a building anxiety within him. “…Save one. The reinforcements for the defenders at Uyter were waylaid, but a single fighter pilot managed to escape the ambush.”
Akaan let out a long hum in thought. There was an order he gave out when his rule of the Lantillian sector began. To die as warriors, not live as cowards. There was an expectation of him here now, one that he was loathe to indulge. “The stubbornness to survive is not without merit… He may live. However, my army is not for the weak.”
The officer exhaled with surprise, a lightness to his voice as he responded “At once sir, he will be reassigned to another sector as soon as possible! As you say this empire is no place for cowards who count their lives more precious than the cause”
“Indeed! We have no need of cowards.” Akaan smiled, standing out of his throne, stepping toward the officer. The officer’s relief faded, and his nervousness grew once more. Then, with a flash of red, Akaan cut him down. The man barely had time to register what had happened as the lightsaber cleaved him in two. Akaan turned to the others standing in his court, their shocked and horrified staring back at him. “Cowards, who defer critical missions to their subordinates – who hide within their offices, never meeting their opponents in battle, never staring into the whites of their eyes.” Akaan moved the saber slowly, letting its ominous thrum echo through the large empty hall. The troopers stood straighter, trying to contain their panic that they would be next.
Akaan looked to his remaining officers, speaking up his usual cold malevolence. “By my order, you are to wage war against these invaders. You are to divest all of your resources into this war. Everything in this sector is to fuel the war machine. And when the situation calls for it, you will die as Warriors. Do I make myself clear?”
The troopers all, in unison salute “Yes my lord!” they declare, then quickly scamper out to fulfill their orders, grateful to have escaped Akaan’s wrath.
Akaan sat back down in his throne and slouched again. He would not have to wait long now, he thought to himself. His prey will arrive soon.