"Have Sigismund lead a team to Tatooine."
After a brief silence, Dorn finally spoke. He then turned his head toward Arroi beside him and continued,
"Then you are to handle the coordination and dispatch to ensure the operation is foolproof, while I will lead the main force in conjunction with the Steel Warriors to continue with our prearranged defensive construction plans, securing our occupied zone."
"Understood. I'll take it from here," Arroi replied, nodding slightly. Her voice was clear, forceful, and unabashedly confident. With that, she turned to leave the bridge to execute Dorn's orders.
"By the way," Dorn's voice rang out once more as he glanced back at Arroi's departing figure, "make sure that the Spartans join your forces as well. It will serve as a practical test of their combat readiness and adaptability—and provide extra assurance for this mission."
"Mm-hmm," Arroi replied softly, tilting her head slightly to acknowledge Dorn's decision before departing the bridge herself.
Dorn then withdrew his gaze from the security doors and refocused on the holographic star map at the central console.
The map shimmered with countless light points—each representing a planet, a fleet, or a strategic stronghold. Based on detailed intel from the Intelligence Department and the crucial information pried from Orson Klennick by the Scarred One, the overall "picture" of the Galactic Empire was now laid out clearly before Dorn's eyes.
Though this vast empire possessed nearly endless resources and manpower, its internal structure and inherent weaknesses were gradually coming to light.
The distance between Yaven IV and Tatooine spanned nearly an entire galaxy. Even though the current Human Empire vessels have undergone a complete upgrade thanks to Pioneer technology—and their jump engines now achieve an astonishing average speed of 1,000 light-years per hour—the journey across the galaxy still could not match the "instantaneous" effect of a teleportation gate.
However, if Sigismund and Arroi's forces could successfully capture Tatooine, the significance of this expedition would far exceed its superficial value.
Tatooine is not only the ancestral home of the Skywalker family; for the Human Empire, it is a crucial "pivot point."
Once Tatooine falls into Human Empire hands, the Galactic Empire will be forced to make drastic adjustments to its troop deployments and defensive strategies, potentially even fighting on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the main force under Dorn's personal command will, in concert with the Steel Warriors, establish permanent defensive facilities on Yaven IV and its surrounding systems.
This would not only consolidate the Human Empire's occupied territory but also provide robust logistical support for subsequent offensives.
Combined with the proactive assaults of the Scarred One, the Midnight Lord, and the Whisperers Legion, even the nearly limitless manpower of the Galactic Empire would eventually be "divided" into isolated theaters, rendering effective counterattacks nearly impossible.
Dorn's eyes slowly scanned the holographic star map as he meticulously planned every step of the future operations.
As for the Rebel Alliance, Dorn had already made a clear decision in his mind.
In his view, these idealistic fighters—though brave and principled—deserve protection from unnecessary losses in futile battles. Their courage and ideals are admirable, but in the grand scheme of the Human Empire's unification project, their role is more symbolic than decisive.
Thus, Dorn decided that when necessary, he would allow them to merely "make an appearance"—satisfying their need to participate while preventing them from getting entangled in overly fierce combat.
For example, once the Hell Paratroopers and the Assault Squad have completed their landing operations, Dorn will have the Rebel Alliance soldiers board vehicles with the support troops to secure the landing zone and stand by for further orders.
Alternatively, if a fortification or town is about to fall, Dorn will deploy them to assist in mop-up operations.
Dorn was well aware that the Rebel Alliance troops needed a sense of belonging, and his arrangement was intended to satisfy that need.
He hoped that by doing so, not only would he protect these idealistic fighters, but he would also enable them to find their place within the Human Empire's unification project.
However, when it came to high-ranking Rebel Alliance leaders such as Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, Dorn had no intention of engaging in extensive negotiations.
He believed these senior figures were capable of understanding the current situation and grasping the Human Empire's perspective.
Their cooperation was based more on pragmatic considerations than on emotional bonds.
As long as the planets and systems represented by these high-ranking officers did not encounter any major issues during the unification war, Dorn would refrain from interfering excessively in their operations.
Of course, it would be ideal if these leaders could also facilitate the Human Empire's objectives.
Beyond that, Dorn did not intend to engage in "pure defense" alone.
His thoughts had already transcended the immediate strategic layout and turned toward the Galactic Empire's capital—
Korosan, located in the core region.
This planet was not only the political center of the Galactic Empire but also the very heart of the entire galaxy.
According to detailed data from the Intelligence Department, Korosan's metrics—its planetary diameter, gravity, environment, and more—are nearly identical to those of Earth in the main universe.
Indeed, even the humans of Star Wars were born on Korosan, making it the cradle of human civilization in that universe.
However, unlike the "azure" Earth, Korosan has long since become "unrecognizable."
Seen from space, Korosan is no longer a vibrant, nature-filled world; it has become a planet enshrouded in metal and light.
Bathed in sunlight, its surface gleams with a cold, silvery metallic luster, resembling a gigantic metal orb suspended in the void.
This vision not only symbolizes Korosan's advanced economic, political, and cultural development but also signifies that its natural environment has suffered catastrophic destruction.
Forests, plains, and oceans—once the natural elements that composed Korosan's beautiful landscapes—have long been replaced by sprawling megacities.
Over thousands of years, the planet's surface has been covered by countless super-structures that soar skyward like steel peaks, enveloping the entire world in an impenetrable embrace.
A vast network of transportation lines crisscrosses the planet, connecting every corner and even extending vertically to form a complex, multi-dimensional grid.
Beneath this façade of prosperity, the true surface of Korosan has become virtually invisible to the naked eye.
The gaps between these colossal structures seem to extend into an eternal darkness, where the once-beautiful natural scenery has vanished, replaced by endless steel and concrete.
Korosan's inhabitants live within these mega-structures, much like ants trapped in a steel labyrinth, having long forgotten what the real sky and earth look like.
Perhaps most startling is the fact that Korosan's population has reached 1 trillion—almost equal to the total population of the Human Empire at present.
This staggering number not only shocks the mind but also directly indicates that the total population of the Galactic Empire far exceeds what one might imagine, to the point of being incalculable.
According to data from the Intelligence Department and Orson Klennick's account, the Galactic Empire's total population is at least in the tens of trillions.
After all, the total number of conventional military personnel alone reaches an astonishing 100 trillion, and the "elite" assault teams number around 2 billion.
Such scale would render any opponent powerless and despairing.
In terms of fleet strength, the Galactic Empire is equally formidable: there are as many as one million vessels of various classes, with the number of main battle Star Destroyers exceeding 25,000.
Due to the vastness of their territory, these vessels are spread thinly across the galaxy, yet their combat power and deterrence remain formidable.
Even if the Galactic Empire suffered heavy losses in the battle at Scarif—with numerous high-ranking officers, including Wilhef Takin, falling, nearly a thousand vessels destroyed, and even the Death Star being captured—such losses still fall within acceptable limits for the Galactic Empire.
Thus, if the Human Empire were to engage the Galactic Empire head-on and fall into a protracted war of attrition, the Human Empire would clearly be at a disadvantage.
Although the Human Empire might secure localized victories with its superior individual combat power and fleet firepower, the time and manpower required would be numbers too great to bear.
Moreover, the Human Empire not only had to contend with the vast forces of the Galactic Empire but also constantly guard against threats from hyperspace.
The malevolent gods and demons of hyperspace thrive on the extreme emotions generated by war—fear, anger, and despair—and feed on them to grow stronger.
If the unification war were to be dragged into a long-term war of attrition, those demonic entities might very well "intervene," plunging the conflict into even greater chaos and danger.
Especially figures like Darth Vader, whose hearts are filled with rage and hatred, could be "ensnared" by the demons of hyperspace and turned into their puppets.
Dorn had long hoped to swiftly end the unification war by launching a surprise assault on Korosan, capturing the Galactic Emperor, and thereby shattering the core of the Galactic Empire's rule.
If successful, this plan would not only completely dismantle the Galactic Empire's ruling nucleus but also grant the Human Empire an unparalleled strategic advantage—even achieving victory without a fight.
However, Dorn did not intend for the Empire's Fist to execute this mission directly.
Before crossing the jump gate, he had already resolved to "step back" and allow other legions to claim the majority of the glory, thus maintaining balance and unity among the legions.
Dorn was also well aware that other genetic prototypes would undoubtedly harbor ambitions to launch a "direct strike" on Korosan—a "deep penetration" assault.
Such actions would not only bring unparalleled glory but would also demonstrate their execution capability in front of the Emperor.
According to the Emperor's orders, Magnus has been given temporary full command of the unification war as "Supreme Commander."
This means that the task of striking Korosan will fall to whichever legion Magnus chooses—a matter that Dorn need not concern himself with directly.
Soon, Dorn shifted his gaze away from Korosan and refocused on Tatooine at the other end of the galaxy.
The primary mission of the Empire's Fist is to assist the various legions in holding the occupied territories and to guard against the full-scale counterattack of the Galactic Empire.
At the same time, they retain relatively free movement, capable of rapidly reinforcing other battlefronts at critical moments.
Thus, Magnus has assigned a special task to Dorn—to make contact with Darth Vader's offspring.
His son, the young farmer known as Luke Skywalker, is currently on Tatooine, which is the target soon to be seized by Sigismund and Arroi's forces.
His daughter, on the other hand, has already been "brought under control" by the Empire's Fist.
Her adoptive father is none other than one of the Rebel Alliance's leaders, Bail Organa, and her current name is Leia Organa.
This connection not only gives Leia Organa a pivotal status within the Rebel Alliance but also makes her an important bargaining chip for the Human Empire.
However, Dorn would never openly disclose the relationship between Leia and Darth Vader.
For now, the foremost task of the Empire's Fist is to consolidate the occupied territory and capture Tatooine—not to prematurely reveal this "trump card," nor to thrust Leia Organa into the maelstrom of public scrutiny.
Only when Sigismund and Arroi successfully make contact with Luke Skywalker and "induct" this young farmer into the Human Empire's ranks will Dorn consider the next step.
Before long, a transport formation composed of several Pelicans and Luna transport ships slowly departed from the hangar of the Eternal Crusader.
They ascended directly, piercing through Yaven IV's atmosphere until they reached low orbit.
Shortly thereafter, this transport formation entered the hangar of a Valor-class super-heavy cruiser.
Inside the hangar, the lights were soft and bright as robotic arms swiftly moved to secure the vehicles in their designated positions.
As the hangar's plasma valves slowly closed, the Valor-class vessel began to merge with 23 other vessels—also detached from the Empire's Fist fleet—forming a combined force.
With a low hum of engines, this mid-sized formation, now separated from the main force, opened a vortex that tore through the fabric of real space and jump space.
Then, the formation quickly plunged into the vortex, vanishing from Yaven IV's low orbit as it headed straight for Tatooine, far on the opposite side of the galaxy in this universe.
Meanwhile, inside the Valor-class hangar, over 80 Spartans and more than a thousand elven warriors—whose armor was predominantly silver with gold accents—disembarked in succession from the Pelicans and Luna transports.
Most of the Spartans even removed their Thor's Hammer helmets, peering curiously around the Valor-class hangar.
They had expected to be stationed long-term aboard the Eternal Crusader, yet before they could settle, they were reassigned to this super-heavy cruiser.
Nonetheless, they didn't seem to mind the upheaval; as long as there was a mission and battle, they were content—even some expressed envy for those "brothers and sisters" remaining on Yaven IV.
After all, the prospect of exploring ancient ruins was an immensely enticing adventure for these super-soldiers still in their youth.
Thump, thump.
Suddenly, a series of heavy footsteps approached from afar, drawing the attention of the Spartans.
Several soldiers of the Empire's Fist—dressed predominantly in black—advanced before John and his team. One of them, with a metallic, resonant voice, commanded,
"Everyone, please follow us."
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I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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