The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2717 Codename "White Lotus"

2717, codename "White Lotus"

Meanwhile, on the other side of Coruscant, at the Van Komoros family mansion, the core circle of powerful and influential families.

Leo van Camorros, fourth in line to the family throne, opened his eyes in bed. He turned his head to look beside him, where a woman of breathtaking beauty lay asleep, her breathing soft, her golden hair scattered on the pillow. Morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft golden glow on her delicate skin.

Leo van Kmorros carefully rose from the bed, trying not to disturb the woman beside him. He quietly donned a silk robe and left the bedroom. Once outside, he activated an electromagnetic barrier around the doorway to ensure no sound could penetrate it.

Outside the bedroom door, the old butler, who had served him for many years and practically watched him grow up, was already waiting. This man in his early sixties had white hair and beard and a humble expression, but a sharp glint was hidden in his eyes.

The old butler glanced at Leo and said, “Young master… you’ve been spending too much time with Miss Cassandra lately. Although her beauty is unparalleled, I’m worried that indulging in women too much at this time might affect your health… Besides, she was once a Jedi…”

“That’s not your concern, old man. I know my limits.” Leo waved his hand, impatiently interrupting the butler. “My focus has never changed. That old codger who’s determined to tie his family to the Galactic Empire’s war machine and wants to perish with the empire, that’s my focus.”

He took the micro-terminal from the old butler and began to examine its contents. He then glanced back at the bedroom and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "As for her... she's just a Jedi apprentice. She joined the Jedi Order at a young age and has a clean background. I helped her evade Order 66, and she's deeply grateful to me. Moreover, we're mutually in love. Who could be more suitable than her?"

His gaze was filled with fascination. "And... my offspring with her will be noble Force-sensitive beings! Our Van Cleef & Arpels family will reach true glory in my hands!"

The old butler didn't say much. He had heard this principle many times and deeply agreed with it. This time, he was merely reminding his young master to prioritize important matters. He waved his hand, and a robot delivered a vial of medicine, clearly bearing the logo of the Umbrella Corporation.

“In any case, your health is the most important thing, young master. Our plan has reached its final stage, and at this time, you must remain alert at all times,” the old butler said. “This is the latest type of medicine that we smuggled from the Umbrella Pharmaceutical Group in the Kingdom of Dawn. It can gradually improve your physical condition.”

Leo didn't stand on ceremony, taking the potion and injecting it directly into his arm with a nano-injector, while continuing, "You understand, I'm only the fourth in line to the throne, and I shouldn't be interfering in the family's future. However, it's clear to everyone that the Galactic Empire is finished, Palpatine is finished. I don't want to go down with them to my death... And those old fogies and those big brothers, they only see the high positions and generous salaries the Galactic Empire gives them, but they can't see the future of failure, how pathetic."

“It’s time to correct this mistake,” the butler said.

Leo had finished reading the documents by this time, and his expression turned serious. "Important information confirmed? Palpatine was seriously injured in his battle with Tang Xiao?"

The old butler nodded and said, "To be precise, it started a few months ago when he mysteriously disappeared with the Hegemon for a month, and during the Northern War, his injuries never truly healed. I don't know much about the Sith Lords' affairs, but it's clear that Palpatine is constantly being hurt by Tang Xiao."

“Then… let’s proceed as planned!” Leo said. “Activate those covert agents in the First Star System Army and send out false intelligence. Then prepare to take over the media center.”

"Yes." The old butler nodded, turned and walked out.

Leo stood by the window, gazing at the Star Destroyer hovering above the Imperial capital, his eyes cold and resolute. The potion was beginning to take effect; he felt an endless surge of power exploding within him, making him feel incredibly refreshed. He closed his eyes, sensing this power emanating from the depths of his cells, tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "The Empire will be ours!"...

On Coruscant, on level 2601 underground, in a neglected slum, a hidden entrance lies concealed within the dilapidated furniture. Within this entrance is a small but state-of-the-art secret base, where countless intelligence reports from the heart of the Empire converge.

This small room, less than 20 square meters, was once a maintenance station for a communications service company. Tens of thousands of years ago, when this place belonged to the upper part of Coruscant, it maintained the communications network of an entire sector.

Later, things changed, and the telecommunications service company long since disappeared. With the advancement of technology, wired communication networks were replaced by ubiquitous quantum communication networks, leaving these lines abandoned in this neglected corner.

Now, this ancient network has been reactivated, and its countless wired communication networks, like a giant spider web, have spread out a dark network in the heart of the empire.

[Rena has sent intelligence that the Imperial Capital Region Defense Fleet is undergoing a troop rotation, gradually replacing the First Star System Army and taking over the defense of the area surrounding Coruscant.]

[Cassandra has sent intelligence that some of the core families are plotting to overthrow Palpatine, and this has already entered the practical implementation stage. Here is a list of families with whom we have had contact in the last three days.]

[...Intelligence from the Imperial Security Service indicates a significant increase in personnel movement over the past month.]

[...Information from the Advanced Technology Alliance indicates that they have transferred the verification work of several secret projects to Coruscant, along with a large number of prototypes.]

[...According to the Imperial Court, the remaining judges have been expelled from the capital region, and Coruscant now only has judges from the Imperial Inquisition remaining. No further information is available.]

Countless data points converge on a small, all-purpose tool. A slender arm rises and skillfully operates this tool mounted on the wrist with one hand, processing this ocean of intelligence.

This all-purpose tool is clearly modified; its fixed photon patterns are far more complex than those of common all-purpose tools. This model of all-purpose tool even boasts processing power comparable to a data processing center!
The person operating this state-of-the-art all-purpose tool was a mature and beautiful woman, around 30 years old. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, but what was even more eye-catching were her incredibly large breasts, which appeared even more breathtaking and turbulent under the outline of her tight combat suit.

"...All signs indicate that a storm is brewing in the heart of the Empire, and it's not small. Regardless of who wins or loses, the heart of the Empire will be stained with blood." The woman said calmly, her voice low and languid, possessing an irresistible charm.

At that moment, the all-powerful tool flashed, and an encrypted message arrived. The message was immediately decoded, forming two simple questions—

[Supreme Command Orders: First, to amplify the impact of the storm in the Imperial Capital. Second, to confirm the First Star System Fleet's movements and take all necessary measures to force it to leave its base and launch a preemptive strike.]

The woman frowned, staring at the message in thought. She lit a cigarette, placed it between her deep red lips with her purple-nailed fingers, took a deep drag, and exhaled the fragrant smoke.

Finally, she sent her reply: "Based on assessment, the plan has a chance of success. The 'White Lotus' group will continue its operations."