24 fighters flying in formation headed straight towards their ship. The fighters were unlike known republic fighter, and they couldn't do anything as the fighters closed the distance.
"Shields up! Prepare to make evasive maneuvers if they attack us!" The captain commanded. They were vastly outnumbered and outgunned in their small freighter.
But then, from the destroyer, a transmission was received. "This is Commander Vorrak of the ISS Phantom Veil. You are trespassing in Veldari Imperium space," a voice sounded from the ship's comm system.
The captain was confused as he had never heard of a Veldari Imperium controlling this star system. "This is Captain Jeran of the Republic Freighter Volantis. We were unaware of this being Veldari Imperium space. Our last information labeled this as dangerous region after..." he paused, deciding it to be unwise to mention Kaelor's reign of terror that had led to the alienation of the entire system.
"The Veldari system is under new management," Commander Vorrak responded. "It is now the seat of Emperor Daimon of the Veldari Imperium."
There was a momentary silence that swept through the bridge as the crew exchanged nervous glances. Before Jeran could speak again, Commander Vorrak had spoken again. "As of now, regardless of the reason, the system us locked down to any foreign travelers. And be sure to inform the Republic of the new status of this system to prevent further civilian traffic from trying to come here until further notice."
"Thank you, Commander Vorrak, I will be sure to let Republic officials know as soon as possible." With that said, Vorrak allowed the freighter to leave the system while she reported what happened to High Command back on Veldari.
Receiving the report, High Command sent the report to Daimon's desk directly. Daimon read the report and approved of the Commander's actions. The Republic at this time is much more powerful than his little empire, not just militarily but also economically. It would be best for him to make some type of agreement with the Republic and use their economy to help his own flourish.
A state-controlled economy was good in the beginning, but in the long run, having some outside trade and investment would continue to grow the economy of Imperium far beyond what it currently was.
Sending a message to the Archon of the Treasury and the Grand Chancellor, leaving it up to them to negotiate a deal with the Republic when the time comes. He himself had other things to focus on involving the planet.
Veldari itself was at best a mediocre planet at the moment that would need a lot of development for it to either surpass or be on par with Coruscant. To do this, he gathered 20,000 crystals from the planet Krev Coeur, located within the Tython system, and infused them together to form a giant crystal which he filled with his Force energy.
With this massive crystal imbued with his energy, it created a central conduit across Veldari, creating a near infinite energy source that powered the entire planet. A group of members from the Balance Keepers were designated as caretakers of the crystal due to how strong the energy it emitted was.
Non-Force users, which were the entirety of the Gen'Dai population, were the only ones who could be within the same room as the crystal and not feel overwhelmed by its power. But even they could only be in there for so long, as the raw energy emitted by the crystal could cause intense migraines and vertigo if exposed for too long.
The crystal would revolutionize Veldari's technological capabilities. Energy became abundant and cheap, which in turn allowed for even more rapid advancements in all aspects of life. Industries that previously relied on costly power sources adapted quickly to the new energy supply, triggering a massive economic boom.
In addition to generating near infinite energy, the crystal also resonated with the Force energy around the world to create floating islands that hovered in the sky. These islands would become sprawling metropolises that towered above the ground, their skyscrapers touching the clouds.
The floating islands were unlike anything that Gen'Dai had seen causing them to be dubbed miracles, yet they were just the beginning of the wonders Daimon was creating.
Barren lands were completely erased from the planet and replaced with fertile grasslands and forests. While it would take decades, Daimon was slowly turning the planet into a Force Nexus, similar to Korriban in the future, and Wellspring of Life where the Force Priestesses resided. This would be done by constantly pouring his energy into the planet for the next few decades.
After being allowed to leave the system, the freighter had made its delivery before reporting what they had discovered to Republic officials. The news of a new empire replacing the old one on Veldari was surprising as they didn't think that the Gen'Dai people would be able to take back control of their planet from Kaelor for at least a thousand years considering their long lifespans.
Yet they were proved wrong. Captain Jeran had explained his encounter with a Veldari ship and fighters which the Republic believed the Gen'Dai weren't capable of building due to their primitive status. However, now that things are different than it was a decade ago, the decision was taken to the Senate.
Disbelieving murmurs and conjectures filled the grand hall as news of this unexpected turn of events travelled throughout the hall. This was not their first time dealing with a foreign empire, but none of the ones they encountered were like the Gen'Dai.
"We should send a diplomatic envoy, considering the fact that the Gen'Dai now seem to be less aggressive than before," suggested one senator, an Ithorian representative from the Mid Rim. "If we can establish diplomatic relations early, we may prevent future hostilities."
Others were not so easily convinced.
"This could be a trap," another senator countered. "The Gen'Dai have always been a primitive people holding on to thousand year old traditions, we have no guarantee that whoever is in control now is any different from Kaelor. Kaelor's rise should serve as a reminder of what happens when a single ruler consolidates too much power."
Chancellor Vaylen, an aging Togruta, raised a hand to silence the growing debate. "Regardless of our personal opinions, we must acknowledge that the Veldari Imperium now controls a system and have the ability to create spaceships. Letting them be will not serve the Republic's interests. We must determine whether they friendly or aggressive."
The decision was made. A diplomatic envoy, led by Republic Ambassador Selia Dorn, would be dispatched to Veldari to establish formal contact with The Imperium.
A week later aboard the RSS Eclipse, a diplomatic frigate decorated in Republic colors, Ambassador Dorn studied the holoprojector in her private quarters. The Gen'Dai had always been an enigma to the Republic. Their biology made them nearly unkillable, and their warrior culture often led them into mercenary work rather than nation-building. They used to be staunch traditionalists that preferred the old ways.
But after decades of war and being controlled by a tyrant, it seems things have changed, or maybe they were the same. The fact that they now had an empire, a capital world, and, most concerning of all, advanced technology, made this mission critical.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the ship's captain over the comm system.
"Ambassador, we've arrived in the Veldari system. We're being hailed by an unknown vessel." Dorn took a deep breath and straightened her robes before heading to the bridge.
"On screen," she instructed.
The holoprojector flickered, revealing a Gen'Dai.
"This is Commander Vorrak of the ISS Phantom Veil. You are trespassing in Veldari Imperium space. State your business."
Dorn held her hands behind her back as she responded. "I am Ambassador Selia Dorn of the Galactic Republic. We come in peace to open diplomatic relations with the Veldari Imperium."
Vorrak told them to hold on for a moment as he contacted High Command to inform them of the situation and receive orders on his next steps. After a few minutes he got his orders, "Very well. Follow our escort. Any deviation from your assigned course will be seen as an act of aggression."
The holoprojector cut out, and Dorn turned to the captain. "Well, that could've gone worse." The captain agreed, using the information she was briefed on to form her own opinion on the matter.
"This is a good start, I guess."
Following the destroyer to Veldari, the Captain made sure to follow the path given to them so that they won't antagonize the Gen'Dai. After arriving above Veldari, their ship was tightly watched as Dorn and a few guards boarded a shuttle and were escorted to the surface of the planet.
The first official meeting between the Veldari Imperium and the Republic was about to begin after only a year of existence.