Of Blood and Princes

[Joseph Gray]

Of Blood and Princes

Ten years ago, before the rise of Empress Viea. When the Dark Lords Jetzt and Hawken still clashed for the Sith throne. The Republic's gaze turned outward to the Sith threat, did not see the loss of life inward. The Empress Tela system had become locked in one of the bloodiest civil wars the galaxy had ever seen. The loyalists of the Imperial throne battled the reborn Krath, friend against friend, father against son, brother against brother. Not even the Imperial family was immune, as the second and youngest son declared his alliance to the Krath rebels. This is the story of Crown Prince Jonathan Henry Raider and how his family was torn apart by war...

[Joseph Gray]

Chapter 1: Blood Betrayal

The skies of Empress Tela blaze with war.
The Krath rebels had somehow gotten hold of the planets defense codes and were pouring into the capital. The civil war has been brutal, especially on Ronika where most of the criminals on planet had joined the Krath under the promise of freedom, but this-.
A strike at the heart of the Empress Tela System?
An invasion of Empress Tela itself?
How can this be happening?
As horrified citizens watch via Holonet, Krath rebels flood into the government district surrounding the Royal Palace. Images of Royal Guardsmen being overwhelmed and cut down by Krath troopers fill the Holonet. The most horrifying event comes next as the images give way to a young man.
"I declare that the old way is no longer the right way. The Imperial family and Imperial government can no longer lead it's people! We must must embrace the darkness, only then will we have the power to over come the weakness of the old."
This statement was being made across the Empress Tela System. The most terrifying and shocking part of it was not the speech itself, but the man who was making it.
Zachary James Raider, prince and second in line for the throne. He was doing more than treason to a government. He was betraying his flesh and blood, his family.
"and so I declare at this very moment the end of the old order and the rise of the new."
Chaos exploded within the walls of the Royal Palace, one-quarter of the Royal Imperial Guard had suddenly just turned against their fellows. The gates and doors were thrown open by a few of the treacherous guards.
As Krath rebels began to swarmed into the palace the Imperial Army finally broke through the perimeter around the palace.
Loyal guards held the Krath back as the Imperial Army swept through the palace burnig away the rebel infection. The citizens sighed in relief, there were hugs and some quiet cheers as news came over that the emperor was safe and unharmed.
But some didn't cheer or hug in relief at this, instead they whispered a single question.
"But what of the empress?"

[Joseph Gray]

Chapter 2: Sorrow and Hate.

This is how it it feels to be Jonathan Henry Raider, for now:
Your blood freezes over in your veins as you watch the Krath storm the Royal Palace, your home. Inside your heart fury, disbelief, and grief whirl together, creating a thermonuclear furnace thats melts away the fear that froze your blood. Slowly it begins burning through your firewalls of patience, but you hold it all back behind walls of will. Because you can't lose control, not here, not now. You slowly turn to address your stunned officers.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Gentlemen," John begins, his voice unnaturally cool. "The end of our campaign on Ronica draws near, we have been a hammer crushing Krath infestations across this world. Even now our forces march to smash the last rebel stronghold. Let what you have just witnessed be a reminder when you lead your men. The enemy is brutal and merciless and will stop nothing to gain power, this must not happen. I know all of you will do your duties, dismissed."
He return their salutes as they filtered pass him, but one of the younger officers stopped and asked.
"My prince, how did the Krath get the defense codes and what of her Maisey the empress?"
"I do not know lieutenant, a hacker maybe, I can not say. I believe my mother is perfectly fine and unharmed, lieutenant they would have said something if she wasn't."
The lieutenant nodded and left.
Raider collapsed into a chair and let the tears come. He knew who it was alright. Who else could have give the rebels codes to bypass the entire defense system around Empress Tela, but his brother? His mother he knew she was hurt, he didn't know how he knew but he just did.
"Oh brother, what have you done?" He muttered into his hands.
After a moment his wiped away his tears, stood up and walked out to the front. There was still a battle to win and the sooner he won it. The sooner he could go home.