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EPISODE III: Empire's Core |
It is a period of decline for the Empire. Since the death of Emperor Palpatine above Endor, Imperial forces have been losing world after world, while the New Republic moves steadily towards Coruscant. But there have been signs of change in the last year. The Emperor's possessions have been reclaimed, vast funds from the Corporate Sector are being channeled to secret accounts and mysterious Dark Side Adepts have been regrouping parts of the remaining Empire. The biggest puzzle is that all of these activities seem to be directed from the unexplored Deep Core.
During his reign Emperor Palpatine spend considerable time and resources mapping routes through the Deep Galactic Core. The routes and plants discovered were known only to a few trusted advisers. Slowly, and in secret, the Emperor began moving people into these worlds. Libraries and palaces were set up where he and his servants could study the powers of the Force. Transports carrying hundreds of people brought subjects to live on these worlds. The Adept Klyn ul-Matir has had to bring Dren Solo to one of these worlds, hoping to avoid the future revealed at the Place of Destiny.
The New Republic frigate ' Sanctuary' has found itself trapped in the Deep Core with no path home and no way of calling for help. Its crew must rely on their own resources to ensure survival as they search for nav-coordinates which will lead back to the New Republic. The first system on their course contains the world of Fyodos -- a world which was devastated by war over a hundred years ago. The world contains much which could be of use to the Rebels -- if they can avoid the dangers of this planet as well as keeping ahead of the Empire.
The crew of the Republic frigate Sanctuary continue their journey through the Deep Core. They have also been reunited with Dren Solo who has brought tales of Dark Force users and mutated clones being amassed in service to the Empire. The Republic troops have been trying to find advanced worlds which may be able to get them home while avoiding the Imperial ships searching for them. However in a dangerous region of space where the Empire holds all the power their best hope may be to take the fight to the Imperial worlds.
The Rebels have won their first victory against the Empire. The crew of the Sanctuary have managed to infiltrate the Imperial base on Lasala and steal navdata for the Deep Core systems. Now able to control their course they have set a path to the planet Mutanda. Imperial records describe it as an important resource system whose natives have resisted their rule. The Rebels hope that they can enlist the help of Mutanda's natives. However those that aid enemies of the Empire risk great retribution.
A Rebellion is growing within the Deep Core. The Hornasi tribes have united with Captain Lehra's squad to seize control of the planet Mutanda. The Coynite warrior, Toral, has realised the Empire's cruelty and joined the Rebels. The Coynite has brought ominous news of the Empire's plans. Weapons of destruction are being developed including a new Super Star Destroyer with the power of the Death Star. The Rebels must attack the construction facilities before this ship can be turned against the New Republic.
The power of the Empire in the Deep Core threatens to overwhelm the crew of the Sanctuary and possibly the New Republic. Captain Lehra and his men have struck several blows to the Empire and gained new allies, but still they face great danger. They have discovered massive new Super Star Destroyers, powerful Dark Side Adepts and uncertain dangers from cloning technology; which could easily destroyed the fragile peace in the rest of the galaxy. But there is hope. Dren Solo has grown powerful in the Force and with the help of an ancient Duinuogwuin believes he can destroy the evil at the Empire's Core.
The Empire was the creation of one man -- Emperor Palpatine. Through corruption, violence and evil use of the Force he subdued an entire galaxy. At the height of the Empire billions of credits were spent to chart the Deep Core. A few trusted and talented subjects were taken to be taught the powers of the Dark Side. Experiments were carried out in the forbidden science of cloning. For a Jedi there is no death, there is the Force. For the corrupt only eternal life will satisfy. Through dark mastery of the Force, with the aid of cloning, the Emperor lives.
