FoO, just heads up, but OR's going to be changing hands soon.
Also, would everyone be interested in a resurrected version of Empire's Bane? Here's the pitch, just to stir interest. This is purely unofficial at the moment; I'm just entertaining the thought.
The Emperor is dead.The whispers had circled the galaxy. Hushed patrons at upper-class tapcafés and lowly cantinas alike spread the word to each other, eyeing carefully the stormtroopers standing nearby. No one believed it. How could it have happened? Palpatine, dead? The HoloNet had proclaimed a marvelous victory at Endor. What victory could have been if the Emperor had been killed?
Slowly, hope kindled in the hearts of the people. For days, the Death Star II remained high above the forest moon, the Imperial Fleet, bruised but victorious, standing silent beside it. The galaxy’s denizens had been perplexed when Imperial News Service had reported the Rebel forces disappearing. Mercy was not in the nature of the Empire. Too many unexplained events happening at once…
Then, it happened. A breaking story from INS came through. Urgent, the anchor said. Electrifying, officials told them. These paltry words fell short of the truth.
“Citizens of the Galactic Empire,” the young man with sandy blond hair and a black robe said. “I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight, Hero of the Rebellion…and your new Emperor.” New Emperor! Skywalker? The famed destroyer of the first dreaded Death Star? It seemed impossible. For the next few moments, silence hung over the entire galaxy. “Palpatine’s reign is ended, his New Order has failed. Lord Vader is dead. It is time for a new era, one that I will establish with your help. No longer will we stamp out those who disagree. No more will we oppress the free peoples of the galaxy. The way of the New Empire will be peace, tolerance…the things that made the Old Republic great.“Yet there is much work to be done before we can claim victory. The Galactic Civil War must come to a close and peace must once more define our galaxy. To this end, I will work tirelessly with Rebel officials to end this conflict. Henceforth, the Rebellion will be granted autonomy within all Unknown Regions territories, to conduct their affairs as they please. I wish them the best of luck, and my heart goes with my former comrades at arms.
“Here on the home front, however, the Empire must remain secure and strong. Thus, I will embark on a number of peacekeeping campaigns to the troubled sectors of our vast galaxy. We will bring them into the fold by means of peace – or war, if necessary.
“A new age has dawned, friends. Let us build our galaxy together, shape it into the fine, upstanding society that it must be. I am relying on all of you to aide me in this endeavor. May the Force be with you all.”
The transmission cut and the buzz picked up once more. Had Skywalker, the Rebels’ greatest hero actually come over the HoloNet and proclaimed himself Emperor? The INS anchor returned to the screen. He appeared as confused as they were all feeling. “Urm…Emperor…Skywalker,” he said. Clearing his throat, he composed himself. “Our teams will be working endlessly to ascertain the validity of these statements, but, if true, there can be no doubt that the galaxy will be a little different from now on.”The INS anchor had no idea.
--- 5 years pass ---
One sig to rule them all, One sig to find them,
One sig to bring them all, And in the darkness bind them.
l Awards and Recognition l
Ad Pleniorem Scientiam l "How very civilized!" - Newt_Gunray l Official MEC Good Liberal
"Melkor just won the forum." - Xicon l "Melkor's intellect never ceases to amaze me!" - Cheapy the Hutt l "Melkor1, a true legend." - Imperial_Persia
"Melkor1 may just be the smartest person I have ever associated with over an internet forum." - Empire of Darkness[This message has been edited by Melkor1 (edited 06-19-2006 @ 08:30 PM).]