The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2741 A One-Day Dynasty (Part 2)
2741. A One-Day Dynasty (Part 2)
The Eclipse-class super star destroyer's firing caused a brief period of chaos in Thrawn's fleet.

Because all sensor detection was blocked before the war, they were unaware of the existence of super star destroyers in the Zarin fleet.

According to the intelligence available at the time, the Zarin Fleet only had 10 Imperial Class II Star Destroyers, some auxiliary warships, and some experimental prototypes, including the TIE Defender fighter. This force was roughly equivalent to the 12 Star Destroyers and 23 light cruisers brought by Thrawn.

But the sudden appearance of the Eclipse-class super star destroyer immediately made the officers and soldiers of Thrawn's fleet feel the fear of the end of the world. What's more, this Eclipse-class ship has now opened fire!

On the 17500-meter-long and incredibly heavy hull of the Eclipse-class super star destroyer, over a hundred turbo-laser cannons fired fiercely, though it appeared somewhat sparse. However, the actual damage caused was far less than the psychological fear; several ships in Thrawn's high-speed light cruiser squadron immediately turned around and tried to flee.

Thoron acted decisively, immediately ordering that anyone who deserted would be executed along with their entire ship, and their families would be arrested on charges of treason. This somewhat stabilized morale, and the ships resumed their planned course, continuing their assault on the core of the Zarin fleet.

At the same time, Thron also keenly noticed that the Eclipse-class ship's firepower was actually very sparse. It seemed that his judgment was correct; the Eclipse-class ship was just an empty shell and had not yet formed combat capability.

He immediately telegraphed Governor Wilhoff Tarkin and another Imperial Marshal, Orman Tag, to inquire about the weapon systems and overall architecture of the Eclipse-class super star destroyer.

Wilhelm Targary replied that miniaturization of the Death Star weapon system is still a long way off and practical application is impossible. Orman Targary also replied that the Eclipse-class super star destroyer has only completed the hull design and the framework of the energy transmission system, but the ship's own superreactor, energy supply system, and weapon system have not yet been finalized.

Under any other circumstances, even if Thrawn were still a lieutenant admiral, let alone now that he was under investigation, he would have absolutely no right to speak with two high-ranking figures like Wilhoff Tarkin and Orman Tag, let alone inquire about such a top-secret project as the Eclipse-class super star destroyer.

However, now that a rebellion has broken out in the imperial capital and His Majesty the Emperor is trapped in the rebel fleet, they dare not be negligent at all. Although they are far away and unable to provide support, they still have to show basic courtesy.

Thrawn decisively ordered that the Eclipse-class ship be ignored and bypassed to continue attacking the core of the Zarin fleet!
However, after this brief period of chaos, the cruiser squadron, having regrouped, was overtaken by the TIE Defender fighter squadron that had arrived from behind. These incredibly powerful fighters bombarded the light cruisers relentlessly! Two of the lighter-armored Karak-class high-speed cruisers were severely damaged and forced to turn back.

Thron remained calm and composed, continuing to command his fleet and apply constant pressure to the Zarin fleet.

The two sides were evenly matched in strength, but under his smooth and effortless command, the Imperial fleet managed to form an encirclement!

Just then, a black Lambda-class shuttle suddenly burst into the battlefield, rushing straight to the center of the battlefield like lightning!
At the same time, a communication was established on Thrawn's bridge.

A figure shrouded in terrifying black armor appeared in the holographic projection, accompanied by rhythmic, heavy breathing!

Darth Vader! The apprentice and confidant of Emperor Palpatine!
"Launch an assault directly at the coordinates. I will go to rescue His Majesty the Emperor." Darth Vader's deep voice rang out.

At the same time, a set of coordinates was sent to Thrawn's navigation computer. Thrawn discovered that this was not the exact center of the Zarin fleet, but rather some distance back. In other words, without these coordinates, he might have needed to search for a while longer to find His Majesty the Emperor's location.

Without waiting for Thrawn's reply, Darth Vader shut down the communications. The black Lambda-class shuttle, like a ghost, pierced through the dense barrage of fire in an instant, disappearing deep into the battlefield.

……

Meanwhile, on the bridge of Marshal Demetrius Zarin's flagship, the Star Destroyer HMS Honor.

Zalin stared at the holographic combat map projected from the command center, his face ashen. Beside him, Colonel Raveen, the genius commander he had personally trained, was directing the fleet's operations with his staff. However, the battle was completely controlled by Thrawn's invisible hand. No matter how much Colonel Raveen struggled, he could only passively follow Thrawn's strategies, struggling to keep up.

Arden-Lin had already put Force-suppressing handcuffs on Palpatine and locked him in a laser cage, then came to the bridge to watch the battle.

“This is completely different from your plan, Marshal Zarin,” Arden-Lin said coldly.

“No! There’s still a chance!” Demetrius-Zarin said through gritted teeth. “As long as we can rebuild communications and let the entire Empire see their emperor being imprisoned by me like a dog, then everything will go smoothly!”

"Who exactly is commanding the Imperial fleet? Why did they arrive so quickly?" Arden-Lin asked, looking at the holographic combat star map.

“I don’t know.” Demetrius Zarin shook his head. “Every high-ranking military officer in the heart of the Empire is under Senator Cassius’s surveillance. If they make a move, Senator Cassius will definitely do the same. Rufon Digorinus also absolutely does not have the ability to command a fleet to this extent… Damn it!”

Marshal Zarin slammed his fist on the control panel and shouted, "Immediately assemble all warships and charge directly towards Coruscant!"

"Are you crazy? Once Coruscant activates its orbital defense system, we're finished!" Arden-Lin shouted, turning and walking outside. "Leave it to me! I'll take a squadron of TIE defenders and storm their flagship! Jing Fang, come with me!"

"Oh... okay, okay!" Jing Fang had been observing the whole thing, and he still felt like it was all a dream. He had actually witnessed a rebellion? And even captured the emperor?

However, after taking only two steps, Arden-Lin suddenly stopped, turned around abruptly, looked in one direction of the vast universe, and her expression became extremely solemn.

"What's wrong?" Zhalin asked.

“The plan has failed. Prepare to retreat,” Arden-Lin said slowly. “Darth Vader, he’s here.”

"What?!" Marshal Zarin was shocked. If Palpatine was the most terrifying person in the entire empire, then Darth Vader was definitely the second most terrifying person!
"Impossible! Shouldn't he be on the defensive line of Planet Delon right now?" Zalin roared.

"He's here," Arden-Lin said in a deep voice. "You need to prepare to evacuate immediately! Ignore Cassius! Get to Skako first, I'll take care of Palpatine!"

With that, she hurried toward the cell where Palpatine was being held. "Damn it!" Marshal Zarin stomped his foot angrily, then immediately turned to Colonel Raven, who was directing the battle, and issued orders: "Order all ships to immediately consolidate their defenses! Use the super star destroyers as cover; we are preparing to withdraw!"

Arden-Lin led Jing Fang straight to the prison. Darth Vader had returned, and who knew if he had brought a fleet? Under these circumstances, the coup was confirmed to have failed, and the emperor's position was no longer secure. Therefore, they might as well go all the way and eliminate Palpatine, completely muddying the waters of the Galactic Empire—only then would they have a last glimmer of hope!
However, when they arrived at the prison where Palpatine was being held, they found it completely empty!
The laser beams that completely enveloped the cell continued to output powerful energy. Arden-Lin had personally tested it and confirmed that it was absolutely impossible to escape from such a cell on one's own.

But the problem is, Palpatine actually escaped!
"Oh no!" Arden-Lin immediately realized something was terribly wrong. "Quick! We must bring Palpatine back!"

There's no time to worry about anything now. Once Palpatine escapes, he'll have the power to kill everyone on the warship except for herself!

However, the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse. The black shuttle had flown straight towards them, circling the Star Destroyer USS Honor. Despite the fierce close-in weaponry from the warship, the black Lambda-class shuttle skillfully weaved through the fire, remaining completely unhitted!
Immediately afterwards, the shuttle suddenly decelerated and entered the shield's range at a speed below the deflection shield's reaction threshold. The hatch opened, and a black figure jumped out and stood steadily in the vacuum of space. He flung his black cloak, and a blood-red lightsaber appeared in his hand. He then stabbed it directly at a weak maintenance hatch on the ship's hull!

The lightsaber's intense heat instantly melted through the hatch, and Darth Vader's terrifying figure leaped directly into the warship.

At this moment, a large number of rebel soldiers had gathered in this direction, ready to fight to the death. However, the last thing they saw in their lives was that terrifying blood-red lightsaber!

……

The warship Honor suddenly shuddered, and its engine section exploded violently! The lights inside the warship went out instantly.

"Oh no! Palpatine's over at the reactor!" Jing Fang exclaimed in alarm. "Let's go! We have to catch him!"

However, Arden-Lin grabbed his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "It's over... Take Zalin with you, let's go!"

"but……"

“No buts! Those soldiers can’t stop Darth Vader, and Palpatine must have been hiding something else…” Arden-Lin said, “We must protect Zarin; he’s our last line of defense!”

The two of them quickly retreated towards the bridge, and while they were at the mess hall, they picked up the Gamo man, Sok, who was eating heartily. Back on the bridge, they grabbed Zalin without saying a word and quickly ran towards the hangar.

Marshal Zarin understood that the situation was completely out of control. Although they had successfully captured Palpatine, everything that followed was beyond their grasp. The rebellion had failed; now, the question was what to do next.

……

As Arden-Lin and his crew fled in a TIE Defender fighter, Darth Vader fought his way through the HMS Honor and encountered his master, Darth Sidious, in the corridor leading to the bridge.

“You’re too late, Darth Vader!” Darth Sidious said coldly. “I put you on standby on Alsakan, not for you to watch the show!”

Darth Vader immediately knelt on one knee, his expression hidden by a black mask, but his voice remained unchanged, saying in a deep voice, "Skako has declared independence. It's probably to support Zarin's rebellion. Over a hundred planets in the core and inner rings have rioted."

“Hehehehe... Skako? The Technological Alliance... Looks like they’re living too well.” Darth Sidious let out a twisted, grotesque laugh. “I’m just curious, when did they start colluding with Zarin…”

“It’s normal for Zarin, who is in charge of the research department, to have dealings with the technology alliance,” Darth Vader said.

"Then... I'll leave it to you to handle. Hehehehe... I don't want to see anyone still alive," Darth Sidious said coldly.

“Yes, sir.” Darth Vader slowly rose, lightsaber in hand, dark Force surging around him.

……

Meanwhile, at the heart of the empire.

Senator Cassius-Alcott was unaware of the crushing defeat that Zarin had suffered. Just moments before, according to a resolution passed by the Imperial Diet, Emperor Palpatine had been deposed and a provisional governing council had been established, with Cassius serving as its chairman. In other words, at this very moment, he was the supreme ruler of the Galactic Empire.

He immediately sent out news of Palpatine's death and demotion, especially to the governors of the major legions and generals holding military power. At the same time, he demanded that all the guards of the Imperial Palace immediately relinquish command, and that high-ranking officials in various departments working within the palace must immediately swear allegiance.

However, this farcical statement was completely ignored.

Moreover, Cassius finally discovered that the financial district where he was hiding had been surrounded, and tens of thousands of IDA soldiers were constantly tightening the encirclement and searching every building in the financial district!
Without a doubt, their goal was very clear—they were after me.

Cassius quickly notified the officers and members of parliament who had occupied the parliament building to immediately order the IDA to lay down their arms and accept reorganization by the interim ruling committee.

Meanwhile, Cassius continued to send messages to Victor Herman Strucker, commander of the capital region's defense fleet, ordering him to immediately dispatch warships into the planet's atmosphere to carry out orbital bombardment of the IDA forces!
At this moment, he had completely gone mad.

However, Hermann Strucker, who had vowed to overthrow the emperor and establish a new order during the previous conspiracy, now seemed to be hiding like an ostrich, offering no response whatsoever!
Hearing the gunshots getting closer and closer, Cassius knew that everything was over.

He and Zhalin's dream of the throne lasted less than a day.