Star Wars: Empire of the Eternal Star

I sincerely apologize for disappearing so suddenly without informing you all. It wasn't my intention to vanish without a word, and I truly regret any confusion or inconvenience it may have caused.

Here's what happened—I received unexpected news that one of my closest friends, someone I've known since fifth grade, was getting married. I barely had a day's notice before I had to leave, so I rushed to do some last-minute shopping and headed straight to his place.

Indian weddings are not just a single-day event; they are grand, elaborate celebrations filled with countless traditions and ceremonies. I had to be there three days before the wedding to help with the pre-wedding rituals, and even after the wedding, the festivities continued for another three days. Every moment was packed with customs, family gatherings, and joyous celebrations, leaving me with almost no time to even check my phone.

I know I should have informed you all beforehand, and for that, I am truly sorry. I never intended to go silent for so long, and I deeply appreciate your patience and understanding.

But I'm back now, and I promise to make up for my absence. From today onward, we'll be sticking to our schedule without any further interruptions. Thank you for your support—I truly appreciate it!

******

{Chapter: 04 Breaking Through the Universe}

A burst of soothing music stirred Leo from his slumber. He blinked his eyes open, surveying his surroundings. Everything appeared normal, yet an unshakable bitterness lingered in his heart.

[Administrator, I apologize for disturbing you, but there is an urgent matter that requires your decision,] Qi Jian's voice transmitted through the communicator at his bedside.

Ignoring the call, Leo pushed himself up from the bed and trudged into the bathroom. "Selene, adjust the water temperature to ice cold," he instructed before splashing his face with the near-freezing liquid. He exhaled sharply as the icy sensation jolted him fully awake, his skin prickling from the temperature shock.

Bracing himself on the sink, he stared into the mirror. His pale reflection, the result of exhaustion and the cold water, gazed back at him. He clenched his jaw, inhaled deeply, and after a long moment, straightened his posture. Determination hardened his expression as he swiftly dressed. "Mastermind, lead the way to the bridge."

Upon entering the command center, Qi Jian saluted respectfully. "Administrator, I apologize for the interruption."

"Go ahead."

"The engineering team has successfully constructed two mining stations near the gas planet. While you were resting, they managed to send back two full ships of helium-3 and refine the resource. This means we now have enough fuel to launch additional spacecraft, particularly transport ships that will facilitate travel between the Dawn Planet and the mothership," Qi Jian reported.

Leo nodded. "Continue."

"Additionally, the reconnaissance team has returned with a preliminary survey. They've identified seventeen potential landing sites for the first colony. We need to select one for the initial settlement," Qi Jian continued, his voice carrying a slight tremor of anticipation as he opened a holographic interface displaying the options.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "You brought this matter to me personally?"

Qi Jian straightened. "Administrator, this colony will likely serve as our capital in the future. I did not dare to make such a pivotal decision without your direct approval."

Understanding the gravity of the choice, Leo studied the display. As he moved to select a location, he caught sight of Qi Jian's expression—an intricate blend of anticipation, pride, and restrained unease. Around the room, others wore similar expressions. Their clenched fists and barely contained excitement spoke volumes.

Realizing how much this moment meant to his people, Leo refocused on the data. His mind sifted through the vast knowledge instilled in him, analyzing terrain, climate, and strategic advantages. After a thorough comparison, he pointed to a location nestled between mountains, rivers, and expansive grasslands. "Here. The latitude is ideal, ensuring a stable climate, and the nearby water sources will be invaluable. That hill—over a thousand meters above sea level—can serve as a natural defensive position. Send twenty marines to secure the area first. Once they establish a perimeter, begin construction on a residential sector immediately."

Qi Jian's eyes shone with excitement as he saluted. "Yes, Administrator! This marks our first colony! Our first step into the universe!" He turned and swiftly relayed the orders to the appropriate teams.

---

With the location set, operations commenced at once.

Shortly after, a transport ship departed the mothership, carrying twenty marines and fifty construction workers. As the vessel descended through the planet's atmosphere, the marines onboard checked their weapons and secured their exosuits.

Upon landing, the troops fanned out, securing the immediate area, driving away native wildlife, and deploying positioning beacons. Meanwhile, the construction crew disembarked, activating their mechanized exoskeletons, which enhanced their strength and efficiency as they began setting up initial structures.

---

"Beacon signals confirmed, Administrator. The mothership can now enter synchronous orbit," Qi Jian announced after verifying the transmission.

Leo nodded. "Good. Operator, adjust our course. Keep the mothership directly above the beacon at all times. Selene, assist with calculations."

[Affirmative.]

The massive engines of the Kushen mothership, towering at over 41,300 meters, roared to life. The vessel, weighing an immense 370 billion tons, surged forward with controlled precision. As it descended into the gravitational influence of the Dawn Planet, its sheer mass triggered minor tremors across the surface, causing localized magnitude 3 to 5 earthquakes and underground water disturbances.

Once in the designated orbit, the ship required minimal energy to maintain its position, relying on the balance between centrifugal force and planetary rotation. A hatch in the mothership's central section slid open, releasing an orbital drop capsule toward the surface.

The single-use drop pod hurtled through the atmosphere, encased in a fiery shroud of superheated air due to the intense friction. From the ground, it resembled a shooting star streaking toward the landing site. Just before impact, its reverse thrusters ignited, releasing a burst of controlled flames to slow its descent, allowing for a precise and stable landing.

Waiting construction workers hurried over, unlocking the pod's compartments and swiftly assembling the prefabricated modules stored within. The capsule itself doubled as an external wall, streamlining the setup process. Within twenty minutes, a fully functional two-story building stood in place, providing immediate shelter for personnel.

The mothership continued to deploy structures at ten-minute intervals—houses, solar and wind power stations, water purification units, and more, forming the backbone of the emerging settlement.

Recognizing the need for a structured community, Leo selected a group of individuals from the 600,000 cryogenically frozen residents. Among them were farmers, technicians, and maintenance personnel, all of whom were gradually awakened and transported to the surface.

To oversee the settlement's development, he appointed a man named Gulagham as the village chief, entrusting him with the responsibility of maintaining order and ensuring the colony's success.

As the colony expanded, a steady rhythm of work and progress took hold. Everything was moving according to plan, yet a heavy weight settled on Leo's shoulders. Watching his people labor tirelessly, he stretched and exhaled, gazing down at the growing civilization beneath him.

Looking at the vast universe outside the porthole on the other side, Leo found himself walking toward it involuntarily. His gaze fixed on the endless expanse of space, where distant stars—light-years away—twinkled like tiny, unreachable lanterns in the void. His thoughts drifted to the inexplicable dream that had seemingly pulled him from one world to another. A surge of nameless anger flared in his chest, tightening his throat and clenching his jaw. His fists balled up instinctively, and without hesitation, he slammed one hard against the thick porthole!

Bang!

The sharp impact sent a dull vibration through the reinforced glass. Pain flared up his arm, and the wound that had only recently been bandaged by the nurse tore open once more. Bright red blood surged from the reopened gash, staining the fabric of his sleeve.

For a moment, his eyes burned with a wild, fanatical light—an uncontrollable inferno of determination and rage. But soon, as if a switch had been flipped, the fire dimmed, replaced by an eerie, unsettling calm. The kind of calm that felt more terrifying than the fury that had preceded it.

His voice was steady, yet filled with an unmistakable weight of resolve.

"Break through this universe…"

He exhaled slowly, suppressing the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume him.

"Mastermind, call the nurse to re-bandage my wound." He issued the command with a detached composure. "Also, retrieve all the information I requested earlier. I have a lot of things to do, and I need to start immediately."

[Understood, Administrator.]

Leo had long since accepted the reality of his situation—there was no going back. No matter how much he dwelled on the past, he knew deep down that he was trapped in this new existence. If he continued to wallow in confusion and aimlessness, then when the Star Destroyer inevitably arrived, his family would still have nothing. He refused to let that happen.

Furthermore, after seeing the hopeful and expectant expressions of Qi Jian and the others, Leo knew he couldn't afford to let them down. If he failed them, if he disappointed the very people looking to him for leadership, then his position as Administrator would be at risk. He might sit on this throne now, but how long he remained in power depended entirely on whether he could prove himself worthy of it.

Human society was a complicated web of interests and self-preservation. Even though the Mastermind had stated that, technically, he could order the mothership to self-destruct at any moment, Leo was certain that if he ever attempted such a thing, his subordinates would be the first to rebel against him. Loyalty only lasted as long as survival was assured.

With that in mind, Leo returned to his seat at the center of the bridge, settling into the high-backed chair with a newfound sense of urgency. He opened the interface displaying the details of the colonization plan and began reviewing its contents. He needed to grasp the full scope of what lay ahead—the obstacles, the logistical challenges, the immediate threats—and how best to address them.

Leo was not the type of person to approach things recklessly. Once he committed to something, he took it seriously. He wasn't like those naive, wide-eyed enthusiasts who spent hours drooling over futuristic warships and impossible technological marvels, dreaming of grand conquests without any real understanding of how to make them happen. No, he was meticulous. He focused only on what was necessary, what was realistic, and what was actionable.

Right now, the most critical issue was learning how to establish a functional and sustainable colony.

In an unknown environment, the best approach was rapid development—securing resources, constructing infrastructure, and fortifying defenses to ensure a stable foothold. Establishing a strong, self-sufficient force was the key to survival, and that had to be his priority.

Especially now, when he could already feel the subtle undercurrents of uncertainty among the people. He knew, more than anyone else, that in this world, he was the loneliest person of all. No true allies, no familiar faces, and no guarantees. The thought lingered in the back of his mind—what if all of this was an elaborate illusion? A carefully orchestrated game, like The Truman Show, designed to test him?

Shoving those unsettling thoughts aside, Leo steeled his resolve and clicked on an entry labeled "Guide to Interstellar Colony Construction."

As the files loaded onto his screen, he leaned forward and began to read, preparing himself for the monumental task ahead.

******

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