The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2819. The Demise of the Ghost (Part 1)

Pivot continued, "After discussions within the alliance, we've decided to comprehensively reduce our forces in the Eastern Territory and temporarily evacuate our core members. I know the current situation is extremely dangerous, but believe me, it will become even more dangerous in the future."

She continued, "Due to the defeat of the Galactic Empire's fleet in the Eastern Territory, the balance of power here has been broken, and the Galactic Empire is no longer capable of launching a strategic offensive in the East. The reason we can still maintain stable communications is because the Dawn Kingdom's fleet has also suffered heavy losses and needs time to rest. Once they have rested, their actions will become even more unrestrained."

Kennan-Jalles said, "But they still launched Operation Spring Dawn...even though their fleet was resting."

"That's why I said the situation will be even more dangerous in the future," the pivot said.

“But if we just leave like this, what will happen to the people of the East? Are we just going to watch them be exploited and oppressed by the Kingdom of Dawn, and even have their homes taken away?” Ezra-Bridger said. “Didn’t we start our rebellion precisely because of the Given people’s barbaric immigration to Losar?”

"When resistance proves ineffective, survival becomes our only option." Pivot shook his head. "Even within the Alliance, people are starting to seriously consider the possibility of the Galactic Empire's impending defeat. Now that the Imperial fleet has been removed from their checks and balances, the Dawn Kingdom's actions are even more reckless, and we can only avoid direct confrontation. Previously, we naively believed that the Dawn Kingdom's rule might be better than the Galactic Empire's, so they might be a potential target. But what has happened in the Eastern Territory shows we were wrong. Neither the Dawn Kingdom nor the Galactic Empire is a good thing."

“Even so, should we still back down?” Kennan Jarres asked.

"Our retreat is only temporary. Afterwards, we will surely return to the East, stronger than ever," Pivot declared resolutely. "With greater strength, a more tightly organized structure, and unwavering faith—the East will not remain silent forever. Every inch of our trampled land awaits the rekindling of the flame."

“I understand…” Kennan Jarres sighed. “We’re preparing to retreat immediately. But… it’s just a retreat, does headquarters really need to send you here specifically for this?”

[Monad Outpost. We'll meet there tonight. Until then, try not to go out.] Pivot said, [Tonight they're hosting the 139th Gladiator Night. Tens of thousands of spectators will flock to the venue to watch this underground fighting tournament featuring humans, robots, and dangerous creatures. It's a massive betting operation involving over a billion Coin Fours, and it's your best chance to retreat.]

"It's not hard to sneak in, but the problem is that it won't help us leave the planet," Kennan Jarres said.

Seven levels underground at Monard Outpost, there's a vacuum cargo pipeline abandoned by the Empire—it leads directly to the 'Grey Falcon' unmanned cargo ship, docked at Solar Dynamics' secret underground spaceport. Pivot continued, "Monard Outpost was once a mining station for the Galactic Empire, later abandoned, and then converted into the venue for Gladiator's Night. Now, Solar Dynamics has just acquired Monard Outpost and plans to transform it into a super geothermal power plant to extract geothermal energy from the Earth's core. They've already begun preparations in secret."

Ezra Bridger suddenly said, “Wait a minute, is the Dawn Kingdom going to cancel Gladiator’s Night because they’re modifying Monard’s Outpost? It’s the spiritual pillar of our planet, the iconic gathering! I’ve often heard the elders say that Gladiator’s Night ignites the fighting spirit of us Lothar people and makes the spirit of struggle flow in our blood.”

"Do you think the Given people, whose minds are only filled with mathematics, would care about these things? All they care about are numbers and efficiency. Entertainment is superfluous to them. And Solar Dynamics, a greedy company, shouldn't expect to talk about spirit or a culture of grit with Gladiator Night," Pivot said.

After shutting down communications, Kennan Jarres looked out the window. The number of spaceships and hovercars in the sky was increasing, indicating that more and more people were heading to Monard Outpost from the capital, Losar. He went back to the window and quietly sensed with his Force. There was no danger around, but he had a vague, ominous premonition about their future fate.

As dusk settled outside the window, a low, red glow rose in the direction of Monard Outpost in the distance—the plasma fireworks lit before the start of Gladiator's Night. Ezra Bridger had already packed up some things and destroyed all documents that might involve the secrets of the Rebel Alliance, and the encrypted communication base station was also completely smashed.

"Let's go!" Kennan Jarres put a hat on himself, and the others also disguised themselves as ordinary civilians, splitting into three groups and leaving in batches.

At this moment, the Monard outpost was brightly lit, with four escort ships hovering in the sky in four directions, illuminating the venue as if it were daytime with their high-powered searchlights.

Kennan Jarres cautiously surveyed his surroundings; the crowds made him feel slightly more at ease. However, he still needed to find the entrance the fulcrum had indicated to enter the abandoned mines of Monard Outpost.

However, ever since he entered the venue, he had a constant feeling of being spied on, but no matter how he used his Force to sense it, he could not detect where that feeling of being spied on was.

Moreover, the Force's ability to foresee events was interfered with!

“We’re being watched!” Kennan Jarres whispered into the comms. “Move quickly, don’t linger, use the crowd as cover!”

He hurried to the back of the third load-bearing column on the left side of the main passage—there was a hidden maintenance door half-hidden by moss, which was the location of the fulcrum marker.

The abandoned mines at Monard outpost are a maze of interconnected tunnels, leading nowhere without markings, let alone all the way to the underground facilities secretly built by Solar Dynamics.

Just as he was hiding outside the passage, preparing to meet Ezra Bridger and the others, he suddenly felt an incredibly strong sense of crisis!

Without any hesitation, he instantly drew his lightsaber and slashed fiercely behind him!
With a whoosh, the two lightsabers collided violently! However, he couldn't see where the attacker was.

"The Force makes you invisible..." Kennen Jarres's expression turned serious. (End of Chapter)