The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2801, A Messy Battle

The Galactic Empire and the Kingdom of Dawn are currently engaged in a ragtag war in the Eastern Territory, literally.

The struggle between the two sides in this place is neither respectable nor substantive; it involves all sorts of intrigue and deception. Moreover, due to the presence of the rebel army, both sides are completely transparent about each other's intelligence.

It's like two people standing on opposite sides of a wall, and the only way they can hurt each other is by throwing cockroaches at each other. So, while they're screaming and feeling utterly disgusted by the cockroaches on their side, they still have to keep throwing more cockroaches at each other.

The more cockroaches you throw out, the more cockroaches you throw back.

But they can't stop, because if they do, they'll be the only ones who get hurt.

Originally, Gideon Tarkin wanted to stall until the Death Star was completed, since once it was finished, it would be invincible.

Lin Nanyi, on the other hand, was thinking about integrating the planets they had already occupied as soon as possible. After all, Dak Planet and Parmant Port were already under their control. As long as they could eliminate the impact of the uprising, the Eastern Territory would unleash tremendous productivity.

So, with this in mind, both sides continued to deploy troops in the eastern border while infiltrating each other through the rebel army, tacitly keeping to themselves.

They knew their actions were bolstering the rebels' strength, but given the current situation, they couldn't care less.

This time, however, Gideon Tarkin sensed something different.

The main fleet of the Dawn Kingdom has actually launched an attack?
One reason why the Eastern Frontier is currently described as a messy war is that both sides are fully aware of each other's troop deployments. For example, the main fleet of the Dawn Kingdom was previously stationed on the planets of Losar and Dark. Both the natives of Losar and the Monkaramari of Dark were very willing to provide intelligence to the Galactic Empire.

Gideon Tarkin was naturally aware that the Kingdom of Dawn had previously transferred some warships from the East to launch the campaign in the North. These mainly consisted of advanced second-generation heavy cruisers and front-line capital ships like the Hellsangels.

Later, the Eastern Territory added some capital ships, but most of them were recently repaired warships, mainly the Cole-class battlecruisers and the Behemoth-class battlecruisers, which were the main warships during the Clone Wars.

After replenishment, the Dawn Kingdom's forces in the Eastern Territory consisted of 300 capital ships and 100 heavy cruisers. Overall, the forces had increased, but it was difficult to say whether the strength had increased or decreased.

But at least here, the five Prophet-class battleships and the Typhoon-class battlecruisers, whose numbers have increased to 30, remain untouched, which is what Gideon Tarkin fears most.

Furthermore, the Dawn Kingdom has significantly increased its number of light cruisers, destroyers, and frigates in the Eastern Sector. The total number of small and medium-sized warships in the Eastern Sector should now exceed 7000. However, most of these warships are organized into escort fleets and rapid reaction fleets, protecting the fragile logistical lines in the Eastern Sector and suppressing numerous uprisings. In contrast, Gideon Tarkin's commitment to the Eastern Sector is enormous, as the Tarkin family is determined to bring the Imperial Twelfth Army under their control. Wilhoff Tarkin, leveraging his influence in political and military circles, persuaded the Imperial High Command to deploy even more fleets to the Eastern Sector.

His main reason was the need to strengthen the Eastern Territory, which would allow them to suppress the Dawn Kingdom's fleet while also threatening Planet Dark and Port Parmant. Wilhoff-Tarkin persuaded the Supreme Strategic Command that with Planet Dark's superior industrial capabilities, once the Dawn Kingdom incorporated it into its industrial system, the constraints on the Dawn Kingdom's productivity would be completely lifted.

The Supreme Strategic Command then granted his request and sent more troops to the Eastern Territory.

Currently, Gideon Tarkin's XII Army's main fleet has over 700 capital ships and a terrifying 30000 medium and small warships—that's right, because of the rebellion's rampage, the Galactic Empire has also deployed a large number of high-speed escort fleets to protect its rear.

However, Wilhoff Tarkin did manage to acquire more warships, but he ignored another matter—the Imperial High Command gave him so many warships for a reason: they were to be used to conquer Dark Planet, not to stand guard on the front lines!
It is precisely this expectation that puts immense pressure on Gideon Tarkin.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm Tarkin also detached 150 capital ships from his own Fourth Army fleet to reinforce the Twelfth Army's area of ​​responsibility.

So, putting aside the political factors, from a purely military perspective, Gideon Tarkin couldn't understand why Lin Nanyi would deploy his main fleet.

Gideon Tarkin's main fleet, stationed just around Chalos IV, comprises over 500 capital ships and more than 10000 medium and small warships. This fleet is powerful enough to deter the Dawn Kingdom's fleet.

Now, neither the Galactic Empire nor the Dawn Kingdom can afford to lose. The reason is that the rebel army, which they have armed with various intelligence, supplies, and weapons, has become much stronger. Once they lose the deterrent effect of their main fleet, these rebels will truly conquer planet after planet.

...That's right, it's a messy battle, and in the end, it's all our own doing.

Gideon Tarkin rubbed his forehead and said to the intelligence officer, "Continue to track the movements of the main Separatist fleet. I need to determine their deployment direction!"

"Yes! We have already dispatched a large number of intelligence personnel to gather intelligence along the way. Moreover, the planets in the Eastern Territory are also being severely exploited by the Dawn Kingdom, and our intelligence personnel can gain the support of many locals." When the intelligence officer said this, he straightened his back, puffed out his chest and pulled in his stomach, exuding an air of dignified authority.

When has the intelligence department ever had such an easy job? Upon arriving on those planets, the local inhabitants were incredibly welcoming, not only providing intelligence but also offering them safe houses and other hiding places. Previously, intelligence agents of the Galactic Empire wouldn't have even dared to dream of such treatment.

Gideon Tarkin ignored him and turned to look at the holographic star map in deep thought. "What are these separatists thinking? Lin Nanyi may be just a kid who hasn't even grown up yet, but he's not stupid. There must be a reason for his fleet's sudden attack."

However, at that moment, the intelligence officer who had just stepped out the door suddenly stumbled back, shouting, "General! Something's happened! Governor Serben has been attacked!" (End of Chapter)