Chapter Nineteen: The Dark Secret of the Milky Way
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19. The Dark Secrets of the Galaxy
Of course, I know better than to provoke them. Tang Xiao roared silently in his heart as a bead of cold sweat slid down his temple.
“Aren’t you supposed to be heading to Mos Espa Port for something?” After the Farlins left, Vunter asked Tang Xiao.
“Forget it. Since this mission has a time limit, we should set off as soon as possible. We can go to Mos Espa afterward.” Tang Xiao shook his head. “Besides, this commission was proposed by that person. Looks like I have no choice but to make this trip.”
Although he was eager to meet the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, now, he considered that the boy was only about seven or eight years old, so there was no rush.
One of Tang Xiao’s reasons for this journey was to see and talk to Anakin, but more importantly, he wanted to get out and experience the world firsthand.
Though he was now the leader of the Fourth Civilization, no leader could accomplish everything by sitting in an office all day. To survive and develop the Fourth Civilization in this world, he had to do more than others.
Furthermore, only he knew the plot of Star Wars, and many things were inconvenient to share with others, so he had to get out there himself to grasp the narrative’s pulse.
Back aboard the Gunner Cavalry YT-1000 light freighter, Quinto and Spard conducted the final checks in the cabin. Truda had maintained their ship well, and fuel, water, and food were fully stocked. Yet Tang Xiao remained restless, staring absentmindedly out the window.
Vunter came over and patted Tang Xiao’s shoulder. “Do you know that man from earlier?”
“You mean that Muun? Judging by his appearance, he’s probably from the InterGalactic Banking Clan, or IGBC for short. Damascus Holdings might be a subsidiary group. In any case, we absolutely can’t afford to offend such an entity.” Quinto, busy nearby, chimed in. “The IGBC’s enterprises spread throughout the galaxy. No one dares to defy them, or their collection agents’ fleets will immediately arrive and seize everything on your planet!”
It could only get worse, Tang Xiao sighed. “That name, that attire… I can’t say I know him personally, but I know some legends about him. He’s one of the greatest shadows in the galaxy—but fortunately, not overtly so. We’re just unlucky to run into him in such a vast galaxy.”
If his memory of the Star Wars plot was correct, that man was a Sith Lord!
The Sith were remnants of the Sith Empire that waged a legendary war against the Galactic Republic thousands of years ago. Like the Jedi Knights, they were Force-sensitive individuals wielding the power of the Force.
However, Jedi used the Light Side of the Force, restraining their desires and upholding their beliefs to do what they deemed right.
The Sith Lords, on the other hand, wielded the Dark Side of the Force, indulging their desires and acting selfishly without concern for the suffering or disaster they caused others.
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Though the Galactic Republic ultimately triumphed in that war, and the Sith Empire was destroyed, the Sith Lords still existed, their shadow lingering in the dark corners of the Republic. They waited for their chance, always ready to seize any opportunity to overthrow the entire Galactic Republic.
And Tang Xiao knew they succeeded—just over a decade later!
Therefore, he set a theme for his Fourth Civilization: war! To secure a place in the coming galaxy-wide upheaval that would erupt in just over ten years!
Given the current state of the Fourth Civilization and the mothership, the future was bright. With a hundred years of development, they could even challenge the Republic’s authority directly. But he only had a little over ten years!
To prepare the Fourth Civilization for an interstellar war within that short span was impossible. So after recognizing who that Muun was, he changed his mind.
Originally, he intended to visit the Chosen One—Anakin Skywalker, the absolute protagonist of the Clone Wars era. But Muun Damascus II’s sudden commission pointed him down another path!
The Fourth Civilization couldn’t prepare for war in ten years, but the InterGalactic Banking Clan could! And Muun Damascus II was one of their top core figures! If he could gain the support of this vast economic power spanning the entire galaxy, the Fourth Civilization’s war preparations would speed up.
Until, over a decade later, the great war would arrive!
But the price…
Was to face the unfathomable darkness behind Muun Damascus II—the Sith Lords!
Tang Xiao’s mind was heavy as he gazed out the porthole.
As the Gunner Cavalry YT-1000 light freighter took off, breaking free from Tatooine’s atmosphere and heading into outer space, Vunter engaged the hyperspace engine after escaping the gravity well. The ship slipped into hyperspace and vanished from normal space in an instant.
…
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the Endor system, near the Model star cluster hyperspace lane, a Z-10 Explorer-class light ship traveled through hyperspace.
“Mr. Qui-Gon Jinn, we’re about to exit the hyperspace lane,” the pilot said, turning to the two figures standing behind him. Both wore loose coarse cloaks with hoods covering the upper half of their faces.
“Do you feel it, Obi-Wan Kenobi? The disturbance in the Force.” One turned back and spoke.
“I do, Master.” The other lifted his hood, revealing a youthful face framed by short brown hair, with a long, thin braid dangling from his right temple—a hairstyle common among Jedi apprentices, full of vitality.
“There are still residual fluctuations here. I sense we’ve come to the right place. Regardless of what it is or whether it’s still here, we must remain vigilant. If the disturbance is strong enough for Master Yoda to sense, it’s certainly significant.” Qui-Gon Jinn said.
“I understand, Master. What shall we do?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Follow the guidance of the Force, not interfere with it. Everything in the universe has its own order. Forcing change only leads to greater chaos.”
“So, do you disapprove of this expedition?”
“I never said that.” Qui-Gon smiled.
Outside the porthole, the view darkened suddenly as the ship exited hyperspace into the void of space. Ahead was a pale blue gas giant with several moons orbiting it.
The console emitted a series of beeps. The co-pilot pressed several buttons, and a holographic map of the entire star system appeared, marking several objects in red.
“Sir, there are artificial structures here.” The co-pilot zoomed in on the image, revealing three fan-shaped mining stations orbiting the gas giant, with a dozen transport ships ferrying resources continuously.
Qui-Gon frowned. “Why would anyone mine in this remote Endor system? There are no stable or safe hyperspace lanes here. It’s not worth it.”
“Probably those Trade Federation Neimoidians came up with another money-making scheme. Those foul merchants never show restraint.” Obi-Wan Kenobi sneered.
“Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment, Obi-Wan. That’s your greatest flaw.”
“I understand, Master.”
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