The Executor had barely settled into its new orbital position when my wrist console vibrated. A soft blue light shimmered above the device, blooming into the crisp, angular features of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Even as a hologram, he radiated an air of cold precision.
"O5-1," he greeted me with his usual calm."I have prepared the latest progress report on the Mars Initiative."
I leaned back in my chair, still half-focused on the screen displaying fleet telemetry."Proceed."
Thrawn never wasted time. His holographic projection turned slightly, revealing a rotating 3D map of Mars. The red planet looked… different. Not fully transformed, but undeniably altered.
"We have successfully established a secure perimeter around the primary colony zone," he said."The terraforming reactors are operating at optimal efficiency. Current atmospheric oxygen content in the controlled region is at seventeen percent. Surface pressure has increased to safe near-Earth tolerance."
A faint smile tugged at my lips."Breathable air already? Impressive."
Thrawn inclined his head respectfully."The fusion of SCP containment technology, Imperial atmospheric processors, and your Reality Stone enhancements expedited the process significantly."
The hologram shifted again, showing fields of dark green sprouting across red soil.
"We have achieved a stable agricultural zone," he continued."Prototype crops have taken root. Potatoes, rice, blueleaf from Naboo, and certain SCP-modified fungi. The soil remains volatile, but controllable."
"So food production has officially begun."
"Yes. Within four months, Mars will be self-sustaining in basic nutrition."
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Thrawn tapped a control panel off-screen, and a new image replaced the agricultural map—this time, a sleek domed structure built into the Martian rock.
"Additionally," he said, "Site-Mars-01 is now fully operational. Personnel quarters, research wings, containment chambers, and defensive shielding are all active."
A foundation site on Mars…
I exhaled slowly, feeling a ripple of satisfaction.
We were no longer tied to a single planet.We were no longer limited by Earth's boundaries.This was the beginning of multiversal expansion.
The beginning of my empire truly taking root.
"Thrawn," I asked, folding my arms, "do you require anything? Supplies, personnel, weaponry? Anything at all?"
His red eyes sharpened slightly."We require several shipments to maintain optimal progress. Construction materials. SCP-grade metals. Atmospheric stabilizer crystals. Medical teams. Engineering units. And if possible…"He paused ever so slightly."…three more Lambda-class shuttles."
"Done," I replied instantly.
And I meant it.
I slid my Reality Stone amulet between my fingers, letting crimson energy pulse outward. My command consoles flickered awake, responding to my intent.
Within seconds:
✓ Personnel manifests were updated.✓ Cargo routes were plotted.✓ Material lists were compiled.✓ Telekill alloy crates were marked for transport.✓ Medical and engineering teams were scheduled for dispatch.
But that was only preparation.
I wanted things done now.
I turned to my intercom."Activate the production hangars. I want three new Lambda-class imperial shuttles manufactured immediately—priority alpha. Fully armed, fully shielded, Reality-Stone-hardened hulls."
The speakers crackled in acknowledgment."Yes, O5-1."
Thrawn's hologram watched quietly, studying my decisiveness with appreciation.
"Next," I continued, "prepare supply modules for transport. Weapons, medical crates, breathable air tanks, atmospheric sensors, agricultural supplies, and four tons of SCP-grade materials."I paused."And send additional security units. Red Hand Death Troopers."
"A wise precaution," Thrawn said."Mars is secure, but still… unpredictable."
"Nothing we can't handle."
I transmitted the order directly to the hangars, where dozens of workers scrambled to obey. Forklifts whirred. Automated cranes began loading cargo containers onto deployment platforms. Three construction lines activated simultaneously, forging the new shuttles with brutal industrial speed.
Within the hour, the first two shuttles were already complete—sleek, white, tri-winged silhouettes gleaming under the floodlights.
Thrawn continued his report while construction finished.
"Additionally, I have begun mapping potential zones for future expansion," he said."Mining territories. Underground caverns for research labs. Valleys suitable for shielding arrays."
He zoomed onto a region near Valles Marineris.
"This area is ideal for a secondary site. With additional SCP shielding, it could house high-threat anomalies."
"Good," I murmured. "We will need that sooner rather than later."
Even now, the Foundation continued to capture—or stumble upon—anomalies that simply didn't fit on Earth anymore. Mars would become our new frontier of containment.
A world of red soil and limitless potential.
A world Thrawn was already shaping to perfection.
The final Lambda-class shuttle rolled out of the hangar as Thrawn concluded:
"Once the supplies arrive, we estimate a 27% acceleration in terraforming progress."
I nodded."Then you will have everything you asked for."
I stepped closer to the hologram, lowering my voice."And Thrawn? Continue expanding. Mars will be our stronghold. Our shield. And our gateway to the stars."
Thrawn smiled slightly—a small, razor-sharp thing that hinted at plans within plans.
"Understood… my Commander."
The hologram flickered and vanished.
Behind me, the three newly produced shuttles activated their engines, blue fire roaring beneath them as they rose into the hangar sky.
Loaded with supplies.With weapons.With personnel.With the future.
And one by one, they leapt upward through the atmosphere, racing toward the red planet under my command.
The empire was spreading.
And Mars was only the beginning.