64 Knights of the Order

A day after the Imperious had summoned the ten massive star destroyers, Valad ordered the Vu'traat to follow his decree. The Archipelago was to be under the control of the Imperial Federation, their goal is to enter the primitive pre-manned spacecraft civilizations into negotiations.

Of course, their only conditions was to sign a treaty that not only frees the Rakata's slaves, but also surrenders their sovereignty. If they refused these, it would become public knowledge and the slaves will be aided in revolt. They were even warned of this, letting them know that their slaves had a backing far more powerful than their own government(s).

When the Destroyers arrived over the planets, some of them were bewildered by the technological prowess. Some were isolationists and even xenophobic.

The planet of Hilak was filled with barbaric Rakata, they used their slaves as a source of food rather than labour. They were grown, bred and eaten like cattle. In the belief that they would starve should they cease their practices, they openly went to war with the Federation.

Due to the low amount of population on the planet, the Destroyers sent down prefabricated bases filled with troops. Special Forces were able to free surviving slaves and assassinated several tribes planetside.

It seemed that not only did they lack space flight, but their weapons had heavily regressed to simple tools such as spears and blades. They had all but lost their force sensitivity, which was why they had completely lost the ability to leave their planet.

On all of the planets, there seemed to be at least some humanoid life alongside the typical Noghri, Selkath, Wookies and Selonians. There had to be at least several hundred thousand Pantorans, Humans, Zabrak, Twi'lek, Sith, Zelosians and even Zeltrons.

The Vu'traat was a sisterhood of Justice, so now, what the Empire desperately needed was Order.

The Knights of the Order, mainly referred to as the Imperial Knights, these individuals were casually dressed in the attire styled after the clothes Vaylin and her brothers wore as children. It gave a sense of nobility, their clothes being black and white, often meaning Pure Justice. Their armor reflected this. They'd trade their white tops for black and wore a white armor chassis, armored gauntlets, shin guards and knee pads.

Those who passed the trials akin to the Initiate Trials to become Padawan's in the Jedi Order, were gifted their first kit to make a lightsaber. Each saber crystal had a different color, holding a meaning to its wielder.

The lightsaber designed by the future wielder was to be seen as their partner and lifelong friend. Ever hilt was to be unique, engraved with the personality of the wielder. Floral, runic, animalistic or even ritualistic designs could be engraved or embedded with other available materials.

The Order would be founded officially on the planet of Tulpaa, which was officially renamed Tulan by its now liberated populace, on its central continent. Many of the Initiate clans as well as Master Fay had transferred onto the planet surface, as the Temple which was planted had a powerful neutral force Nexus.

Command shuttles from all of the destroyers were used to farry force sensitives who wanted to join the Order, to the Temple from their respective planets.

The only initiates that remind behind however was the Aku Clan which had Ahsoka and friends. This was because they were to be trained by Valad in the ways of the Force and to become his Honor Guard in the future.

Soon afterward the seven worlds signed a petition to rename the Archipelago as the Imperial Archipelago. This was immediately sanctioned by the decree of Emperor Valad, officially renaming the sector and its collection of star systems.

...

[ Quest Complete: Conquer the Rakata Archipelago. Rewarded. ]

[ Quest Complete: Found a Force Sect. Rewarded. ]

[ Rakata Questline Complete: 15,000 Renown Rewarded. ]

Valad was sitting in the command chair on the main bridge of the Imperious, watching over the sleek hull of the vessel which was his personal capital. He had not named a planet as his capital as of yet, he wasn't done expanding.

Currently that was his only goal was really expansion and influence. His personal power when it came to the force, he thought was sufficient for the time being.

Though he was rather curious, with all the death and destruction he had caused to his enemies and those whom would follow his Imperium, he thought he would've leveled up.

Seeing that his EXP bar was no longer yellow, but red. He was rather curious about what the change was all about. Opening his character information sheet, he saw that it no longer said experience points. Instead it showed the word Renown, in other words his reputation and recognition seen by others.

"So, I need to be recognized by the System..." He muttered to himself, leaning back in the cushioned chair. His eyes gazed up into the stars in the distance. His eyes narrowing on one star in particular which was in the center of darkness.

It was the system of Lehon, also known as Rakata Prime, an patch of space which was sparse when it came to stars, all except for that one solar system. The planet was beautiful even though it was marked by war and battle. There were ruins all over the surface, including that of the original star forge and old Hammerhead Cruisers.

It was a good place to salvage, but the technology there was over three thousand years old. While it was somewhat more technologically advanced, it wasn't something worth doing. It would be best just to restore the planet to its former glory, while converting its dark force nexus to that of a neutral one.

Letting out a sigh as he thought about that chore of a plan, his eyes closed and he crossed his legs over one another. Listening to the force, taking in its many voices, sorting them. He could hear the past, the future and the present.

He reached out to the planet of New Aquilae, an image of Leia actually doing her job as 'Princess' of the world seemed to be rather interesting. She had her makeshift handmaidens actually dressed to fit the job this time.

They weren't wearing sticks and foliage as parts of their dresses, instead they seemed to wear something akin to the ones of Naboo. Since his absence it seemed that she was doing rather well, and trade was prospering.

A Jedi Advisor seemed to be present, even though the planet itself was no part of the Republic. The advisor however was none other than Qui-Gon Jin, again one of his favorite characters within the lore of Star Wars.

Valad could only help but titter to himself as Jin started to look around, feeling that he was being watched by an 'unknown' entity. Every turn of his head and strong thought, had a dignified look to it which was rather appealing and admired.

That's when he would feel a pressure on his lap and he opened his eyes in time to feel Maddie's thighs pressing against his sides. His eyes narrowed at the golden hues a few centimeters away from his own eyes. "Um... Hey there?" Valad creased his brow and traced her facial features to her lips, swallowing the building up of saliva in his mouth.

"Hmhm~" Maddie appeared to chuckle with her mouth closed, her throat vibrating with the sensation. She moved her hips and upper body slightly, observing him closely, like a charmed cobra watching the flute player as if it was about to strike. With her glistening golden eyes, she actually looked like a dangerous beast, it was seductively unsettling.

"You let your guard down," She hissed quietly in his ear as she leaned into him, "Grandmaster~" She grazed her sharpened canines against his jaw, leaving a slight trail of saliva trail in the process.

Valad simply smiled quietly in response, laughing inwardly as he opened the companion function and opened her tab as she was listed amongst his companions. Using the system to unequip her shirt, her torso suddenly became bare with the exception of the tube-top bra. "So did you," his hands moved from the arms of the chair and gently traced up Maddie's back.

She was already in shock with the sudden disappearance of her tunic, she shuddered at the feeling of his touching. In her previous life, her lower spine was her sweet spot, as it was in this life as well. Her upper body collapsed on top of him as she rested the side of her head on his shoulder.

"You're a dick..." She murmured as she let out a heavy exhale on his shielded collar.

Shrugging lightly, he grinned a bit. "Sorry, It's genetic." That was generally always his excuse whenever someone claimed he was a dick. He blamed it on his parents, mainly his father.

She pursed her lips slightly hearing his response and let out a sigh, "I suppose you're right." She walked her fingers up his side, traced over his shoulder and up his neck. As soon as she brushed her fingers behind Valad's ear, he shuttered just as she did before.

"So, now that you're a Grandmaster, what does that make me?" Maddie asked, playfully and purposely, drooling on his black tunic as he was having her shirtless on his lap.

Clucking his tongue, Valad thought about how he wanted the Order to be arranged. "You will be my Knight-Commander, a member of my personal Council of Knights. Just like Vaylin, Fay and Riané..."

He had a general idea how he wanted everything. The lowest to highest ranks were Initiates, Disciples, Knights, Seated Knights and then Knight-Commanders. Seated Knights were equivalent to that of Jedi Masters. Knight Commanders were equivalent to Jedi Masters on the Jedi Council. It was only logical that Disciples were considered Padawans and Knights were like Jedi Knights.

The Knight-Commanders acted as the Emperor's primary support enforcers and bodyguards, it is supposed to be considered a great honor to serve as such. When a Grand Vizier is to be installed in the Government, it will be the Knight Commanders and the Emperor who outrank them. Much like how Darth Vader and Palpatine stood above the Head of Government.

As he thought about this, his mind thought over towards the structural pack where he had been given an Advisory Council Voucher. He had a few ideas of what he would like to go with.

There were a few prospective individuals he could gather around him. Leonia Tavira was one of them, one of the youngest and most ambitious Imperial Moffs during the time of the Galactic Civil War. Though he'd have to install contingencies against her taking too many opportunities.

He wouldn't mind her companionship, she be exactly his age too. However at the same time, he began to believe that in itself could be an advantage for her. Shaking his head, his eyes narrowed on Maddie who was watching him think, blowing on his chin with pursed lips.

"Stop. Spacing. Out." Leaning up, she would gently nip his lower lip, grinning deviously at him.

Licking his lower lip slightly afterward, he chuckled to himself. "Are you planning on devouring me?" He asked with a teasing tone, pecking her lightly on her upper lip.

Giggling she rolled her eyes, "Do I look like a Rakatan Cannibal?" Her hands rested up and grasped the sides of his head. Her lower body sinking into his waist as she pressed her lips against his. Biting at his lower lip, tugging on it softly.

Valad couldn't help but return the favor passionately returning the kiss.

Rin Gan who was about to enter the bridge paused as she was turning a corner, and watched the two of them. Her eyes traced their movement, a tingling sensation in her chest erupted. She swallowed shallowly, her interests were peaked.

She had never seen this before, all she had ever done is study under the orders of her mother and the tutelage of her tutor Gris. Public displays of affection had never met her eyes, only in holovids, and it was a rarity that she'd see those.

She had no father to match her mother, so she wasn't used to seeing things.

Grasping at her wrist nervously, she pressed her side up against the frame of the blast door. His hazel eyes silently took in the scene.

Each move Maddie made was charming and seductive, compelled Valad the newly proclaimed Emperor to move with her. Rin's body moved to imitate her slightly, her imagination allowing her to dream with her eyes open. Her grip on her wrist tightened a bit, embarrassed that she found herself moving in such a way, and bit her lower lip curiously.

Slowly she shrunk away from the bridge in thought, why'd she feel this way? Why'd she imagine herself on top of him in Maddie's place? She shivered, licked her lips. Her eyes traced the spotless reflective floor at her feet.