The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2722, Oswald-Tesick

Oswalta Tesik, Imperial Marshal.

He came from a prominent family, a rare family that wielded significant influence in both the core elite circles and the military. In particular, after becoming the commander-in-chief of the Empire's First Star System Army, he became a leading figure among the core aristocratic class.

When the First Legion's governor, Trakhta, was embroiled in the assassination attempt on Emperor Palpatine and ultimately died, Oswald Tessik earned the Emperor's trust by firmly holding onto the military power of the First Star System Army and standing steadfastly by His Majesty's side throughout the incident.

Therefore, after the turmoil subsided, Palpatine did not reappoint the governor of the First Legion, but instead appointed Oswald Tessick to the position concurrently. This gave him both political and military power within the First Legion, effectively making him the second most powerful ruler of the Empire in the heart of the galaxy.

Later, he was appointed as an Imperial Marshal. At this time, Oswald Teschke had reached the pinnacle of power. Whether in the core circle of nobles, the military, or even the small circle of twelve marshals, he was the undisputed leader.

Even figures like Dunn Wessex, the King in the North, and Wilhuff Tarkin, the Emperor's confidant, treated him with utmost respect and dared not show the slightest disrespect.

However, as the Kingdom of Dawn conquered Bilblin and the outer defenses of the core were breached, Oswald Tessik clearly sensed Palpatine's distrust of him.

Especially in such critical moments, selfish people like Palpatine, who are willing to harm others for their own benefit, are even less willing to put their safety in the hands of others.

Palpatine began to increasingly interfere in the military affairs of the First Star System Army, and even sent the Dark Prophet to the fleet as an advisor.

Since the leader of the Dark Prophets, Cardan, inexplicably began to lie low and give up, most of these Dark Prophets have been reporting directly to Palpatine. Therefore, these people, though called advisors, are actually Palpatine's eyes and ears used to remotely control the First Star System Army.

The dark theocracy represented by those dark prophets has increasingly created very sharp contradictions within the military, and even shown signs of a split. These are all things that Oswald Tessik is very worried about.

Now, due to the civil war within the Targ family, and after Imperial Marshal Neil Deklan's brutal killing of Silas Targ, the rift between the nobility and the military has deepened further, completely shattering the power balance within the inner circle. Oswald Tessik, caught in the middle, has found himself in a very awkward position.

Unlike Dunn Wessex and Wilhoff Tarkin, Oswald Tessick, who controlled the First Star Force, didn't actually have his own territory. This is because the First Star Force was located in the most crucial part of the Inner Circle, a place where various powers and interests were intertwined, making it impossible for anyone to control.

Even Wilhelm Tarkin knew to expand his sphere of influence to the Twelfth Military District, and Dunn Wessex, being far from the emperor's reach, was essentially at the mercy of the four Northern Legions, obeying orders but not procuring them. In contrast, Oswald Tessick was constantly constrained and under Palpatine's surveillance, which naturally made him very frustrated.

However, although his current situation is the same as that of Marshal Rufán Digorinus, who is also currently on Coruscant and caught in the middle between the aristocracy and the military, it does not mean that the two have anything in common.

On the contrary, Oswald Tesick clearly sensed that Rufão Digorinus was challenging him.

Faced with pressure from the aristocracy, Rufán-Digorinus clearly chose to abandon his stance and align himself with them. At the same time, he was doing everything he could to seize every opportunity to strengthen his own position.

For Oswald Tesick, who already has enough under his control, the only option is to fight to the bitter end.

……

On the night of August 34th, at Centax-2, a satellite of Coruscant, the capital fleet of the Galactic Empire's First Star System.

This is a miniature star ring built around a satellite, primarily for the defense, docking, and maintenance of warships on Coruscant. Since the Galactic Republic era, Coruscant has been a planet that prides itself on openness and freedom, and to demonstrate this, nothing related to "military" or "armed" can be found around the planet.

Even Coruscant's planetary shield has never been activated in 25,000 years.

This is not only about the sense of security of the common people and the inner circle of nobles, but also about ensuring that anyone who comes here will not feel any constraints. For 25,000 years, Coruscant has always been a beacon of freedom and democracy.

Therefore, even the fleet protecting the capital can only be stationed at the satellite's anchorage, and under normal circumstances, it is absolutely not allowed to appear near the planet.

However, this practice has been broken multiple times since the founding of the Galactic Empire. But long-standing habits are not so easily reversed, so even Oswald Tessik, the current Imperial Marshal who holds immense military power and is one of the most influential figures in the Galactic Empire, has to set up his office here. At this moment, Oswald Tessik is standing before a floor-to-ceiling porthole, gazing at the distant planet Coruscant. Illuminated by starlight, the completely urbanized surface of Coruscant gleams with a metallic sheen, densely packed with countless lights.

In the vast starry sky, there are also points of light like stars flying back and forth, which are spaceships coming and going.

Yet, faced with such a prosperous and beautiful planet, Oswald Tesick felt only melancholy.

Because in the last few months, he has clearly felt the planet's rejection of him, and the situation at the center of the empire is gradually getting out of control.

He thought for a long time before making a call.

The holographic projector flickered and revealed a man who looked to be about 50 years old, kind and approachable, but was wearing a white general's uniform with gold epaulets on his shoulders indicating his status as an Imperial Marshal.

"Marshal Zarin, it's been a long time," Oswald-Tesik greeted him.

"Not too long, Marshal Tesik." Demetrius Zarin in the projection smiled very modestly and gave a polite military salute, even though he and Tesik were both marshals.

He continued, "It's only been a little over three months since the Marshal's investiture ceremony. I still remember the grand occasion, especially your heroic bearing, which I will never forget."

“Yes! The empire back then wasn’t like the empire it is now… leaky and riddled with holes,” Tessik said.

"I understand your concerns. The devastating situation in the Kingdom of Dawn is partly the fault of our technical department," Zalin sighed. "Therefore, I dare not slacken my efforts for a moment, hoping to bring the Empire more of the most advanced weaponry and equipment, and also to alleviate some of the pressure on frontline commanders like you."

Tesik nodded and asked, "I heard that you have made significant breakthroughs in several fields this time? Even His Majesty the Emperor is very interested in your achievements."

"It wouldn't be considered a breakthrough, but there have certainly been some new developments, thanks to the collective efforts of all my colleagues. I hope you can join us then," Zhalin said.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend, Marshal Zarin,” Oswald Tesik said. “The pressure from the Imperial Council and even His Majesty the Emperor himself is growing, and I’m afraid I will have to push the front lines to Scipio soon.”

Zarin frowned, and asked with concern, "Aren't you stationed at the fleet base on Anax? It's not far from Coruscant. Now, let's go to Scipio..."

He asked cautiously, "What about Coruscant?"

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about… The situation on Coruscant has become increasingly delicate lately. I’m afraid things will go wrong if I leave,” Tessik said.

Zarin thought for a moment and said, "But His Majesty the Emperor is here, and Marshal Digorinus is also here, so... there shouldn't be any problems, right?"

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about, Rufon Digorinus,” Tessick said. “He’s getting too close to those aristocratic scions and he’s pushing his luck, trying to get more and more. If things start with him, things could get very complicated.”

Zarin shook his head. "I believe Marshal Digorinus is not that kind of person; he is certainly loyal to His Majesty the Emperor."

Tesik gave a cold laugh and said, "There are many ways to be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor, and it doesn't necessarily have to be equated with not harming us, or even harming the Empire."

"This..." Zhalin hesitated.

“Listen, Marshal Zarin,” Tesik said. “I don’t have many people I can trust, but I’ve seen everything you’ve done all along. Now on Coruscant, you’re the only one I can count on. Listen, once I leave here, you will need…” (End of Chapter)