The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2931, Star Killer

Meanwhile, on the other side, Borsk Felía and Bel Gam Ibrahim were discussing something.

Philia said earnestly, “Mr. Iblis, while I wholeheartedly agree with the leader’s views, we do indeed need a powerful fleet right now, primarily to maintain a relatively stable border and controlled territory. Our enemies are not only the Fourth Reich and the Galactic Empire, but also elusive pirates, and… yes, those treacherous planets.”

Bel-Gam-Iblis glanced at him and said, "You mean Nixor?"

“What I’m referring to is this planet, or rather… this type of planet,” Borsk-Felia said. “They pretended to break away from the Galactic Empire and offered us support. After our advisors and reinforcements arrived, they did overthrow a government, but none of us knew at the time that it was actually just a coup…”

He looked at Ibris and said, “In other words, they are actually just a group of anti-government armed forces... a bunch of bandits, but they deceived us under the guise of an uprising and successfully launched a coup. Then, they began to outwardly comply but inwardly defy us, refusing to cooperate with any of our actions, and even refusing to allow us to set up military outposts.”

“I know what you mean…” Ibris sneered. “We need a constant, deterrent fleet so that those with ulterior motives will have something to fear.”

“That’s right,” Borsk-Felia said. “The people of Nikossol don’t talk to us about beliefs. What we need is a fleet that can make such villains pay the price.”

Bel-Gam-Iblis said, "However, I've heard that the Hutt Space is currently protecting Planet Nixol. If we were to send a fleet there directly, we might clash with the Hutts. You should know that the Hutts' fleet is not to be trifled with now."

"That's why we need an even stronger fleet, isn't it, Mr. Ibrlis?" Borsk-Felia's words were highly persuasive. "Otherwise, we wouldn't even dare to provoke the Hutts, let alone talk about rebuilding the Republic."

He paused, then asked, "How much production capacity can Corellia Engineering Company allocate to us for producing the warships we need?"

Bel-Gam-Iblis shook his head and said, “It depends on how much we can pay… After losing the constraints of the Galactic Empire, Corellia Engineering’s position is clearer—they only talk business. And now, they prefer to accept Currency Number Four.”

He sighed and said, "In fact, after losing the Galactic Empire, our greatest enemy, the board members of Corellia Engineering Corporation have become even more unscrupulous. Their attitude towards us is no longer supportive, but purely commercial."

Borsk-Felia spread his hands and said, "So you see, Mr. Iblis, now that things have come to this, is the belief that the leaders still hold onto useful? In the end, cold industry is still the iron law governing the operation of this galaxy."

Gam-Bel-Iblis nodded and said, "I'll talk to Governor Serben and find a way to make him disappear from the public eye."

“Don’t worry, my agents have many ways to create such a false impression,” Borsk-Felia said.

They walked and talked until they reached Galen Malek, who was resting outside. Bel Gam Iblis said to Feria, "Well then, I'll take my leave now."

He nodded to Galen Malek and turned to leave the bridge.

“Mr. Starkiller… please forgive me, I prefer to address you by that name.” Borsk-Felia’s linguistic talent was top-notch. “Because for our current situation, appropriate toughness and appropriate deterrence are the best. And the existence of Starkiller can help us avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.”

Galen Malek gave a cold laugh, neither confirming nor denying, and simply said, "Is your incessant arguing over?"

Borsk-Felia shook his head. “This kind of argument will never end. In reality, it’s a struggle between pragmatism and idealism… To me, it’s like a person who has eaten a full meal finding everything unappetizing. When the threat of the Galactic Empire looms over all of us, no one will refuse aid—even if that aid comes from a, well… vicious person.”

“If you want to describe me as a criminal, just say so,” Galen Malek said coldly. “I would never say that. Because in my view, what happened in the past is completely different from what is happening now. I look at actions, not old scores,” Borsk Feliya said. “But unfortunately, in the eyes of those idealists, you are a criminal.”

Garen Malek didn't respond to that question, but instead said directly, "Speak, what is it?"

“Nixsol—a mistake we made.” Borsk-Felia recounted what happened on Nixsol. “So now our question is, to what extent do we need to do this for a planet? Verbal condemnation? A shipping blockade? Or sending troops to attack? Or…”

“Assassination,” Garen Malek said coldly. “If we choose this path, then the same question remains: what’s the difference between us and the Galactic Empire?”

Borsk-Felia laughed and said, "That's why I came to find you. We absolutely cannot resort to such despicable means as assassination."

His reaction was very quick, and in fact, he never made any definitive statements from the beginning, easily seizing the initiative.

He tapped on his personal terminal and sent a message to Galen-Marek, saying, "We received a surrendered fleet from the Galactic Empire's Twelfth Army. I want you to lead this fleet to give a strong response to those planets that have taken advantage of our goodwill to commit heinous acts. Yes, I'm talking about Nixol."

Galen Malek frowned and said, "I have no experience commanding a fleet."

“We have experienced captains who know what they should do. But what we need more is someone like you, with vision and power, to tell them—how to do it.” Borsk-Felia continued to entice him, “Without your guidance, such a fleet heading to Nixol could not only lead to conflict with the Hutts, but could also escalate into the massacre of that planet.”

Galen Malek thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand what you mean. I've also read the report on the actions on Nixol, and such behavior cannot be forgiven."

Borsk-Felia nodded with relief and said, "That's great! I feel relieved with you here."

As he spoke, he picked up the bottle of liquor next to Galen Malek—it was just a cheap bottle of liquor, but Feria poured himself a glass without any hesitation, raised his glass to Galen Malek, and then drank it all in one gulp.

He smacked his lips and said, "This wine reminds me of the hardships I endured on Bosavi, hehehe. Mr. Malek, many times I feel that you and I have many similarities... After all, rebuilding the republic and achieving freedom and equality for the people requires a price. And we... are that price."

Upon hearing this, the wariness in Galen Malek's eyes lessened considerably.

Borsk-Felia's words accurately hit the nail on the head—he always believed that he was part of the rebel alliance and the dark side of the future republic's revival.

They are the guardians who silently support this new regime in the darkness.

He nodded to Felia, picked up his glass, swirled it, downed it in one gulp, then grabbed the personal terminal from Felia's hand and turned to leave.

……

After Galen Malek's shuttle flew away from the Liberty superstar destroyer, Borsk-Felia suddenly revealed a mysterious smile, "It seems your judgment... was absolutely correct, Mr. Shen-Jon..." (End of this chapter)