Ascension of Vodo Bonias

~Your regularly scheduled programming is interrupted by the image of the Imperial Seal~

~A moment later, the Imperial Seal is replaced by live video footage of the planet Coruscant. Very large formations of Imperial ships are seen in a defensive formation over the planets surface. The video stream switches to the Imperial palace where there is a large gathering of Imperial High Command members and senior members of their staff. The large announcement podium has been replaced with a very large holo-screen, where those in attendance and those watching throughout the galaxy can observe the press briefing called by the Imperial Security Council~

~An imperial officer approaches the platform and raises his arms to bring those in attendance to order. Once the stirring and whispering of those in attendance subsides, an image appears on the holo-screen above the podium. You recognize a younger image of the Venerable Dark Side Master of the Sith, Master Vodo Bonias~

~Master Vodo begins to speak in his ever familiar tone. His words are throaty and raspy, while his eyes are sharp and his facial expressions tight~

Yes, citizen of the Dark Side. I have taken for myself another clone. My flesh had become rotten and I have found that those in the galaxy had abhorred my retched form. They would turn away from me in disgust, fearful as to whether my physical condition of rotting flesh was in some way contagious. How little your minds are!

~Master Vodo coughs several times, bellowing forward as if he were about to lose his balance~

But do not fear, my friends. For I do not come before you today to speak of such horrid things. I come before you today to speak of a very important change within the Empire. A change that will not only affect the core worlds, but will challenge the very fabric of the galaxy!!

~Master Vodo's eyes open wide and he slams down on the podium within his Star Destroyer. He starts to cough again, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and from his left nostril. A person in a dark cloak approaches and hands Master Vodo a dark napkin to use to wipe the blood from his mouth. Master Vodo regains his composure and begins to speak again~

The transition into a clone is never an enjoyable one. But I have come to accept the pain associated with eternal life!

~he begins to laugh manically for several seconds~

So, my dark friends… I know you did not tune into this transmission to hear the ramblings of an old man. Rather, you have tuned in because you desire the intoxicating feeling associated with the Dark Side. A desire that you must satisfy. A desire that only I can satisfy for you. I assure you, my insolent friends, that I will indeed satisfy you. You will find the gratification that I can provide you unmatched by anyone before me and by anyone after me.

~He pauses a moment and then continues~

Yes, it is true. My former master is no longer sitting on the Imperial throne. My former master is no longer sitting anywhere in fact.

~his faces changes to one that is of a more somber expression and he holds out a small device, one that resembles a Jedi holocron~

Master Uebles now exists as pure energy within this cube. All that we know is that one evening, Master Uebles decided that he would going to attempt to unlock the secrets of this ancient technology. MJ-12 as well as qualified experts in the arts of the Jedi, are currently investigating what is currently being called a force accident. We believe that Master Uebles now resides within this cube. We do not hold any hope that we will ever be able to retrieve him from this current state. That said, I will become the keeper of this technology.

~His expression changes from somber to pleasure. His next statement, emphatic and to the point~

This does not change the mandate of the Empire. This does not change the mandate of the Sith. All it does is reinforce our resolve to maintain order within the Galaxy.

~he pauses and slams down a fist into the palm of his hand~

Yes! I have returned to what is rightfully mine!

Yes! I have returned to the throne as the Emperor

Yes! I will be the ruler of ALL in the galaxy!

~he pauses~

Soon, all will know my name. Soon, all will know my power! Soon, all will kneel before the Empire and before the Dark Side. Soon, the entire galaxy will be under the dominion of the military force of the Galactic Empire and the spell of the Sith

~he slowly begins to smile as his chuckle gets louder~

Your thoughts betray you! The pathetic bands of rebels concentrated in the renegade system of Republica are no match for the powers of the Galactic Empire. The Jedi are no match for the powers of the Dark Side. Even now, our military forces act in accord with my will! Brining to order the insignificant uprising of the Brother of the Sand. The insignificant uprising of the galactic criminal element.

Oh… I'm afraid that the criminal activities outside the Empire will not go unpunished by the Empire. The Empire will punish and completely eliminate the wholesale piracy in the galaxy and the factions that support that piracy will also not go unpunished.

~he reaches for a glass of water and takes his time in emptying the contents of the glass~

What of the internal weaknesses of our grand Empire? The Imperial High Command has met and has discussed in detail these weaknesses within our ranks. I focus on the weaknesses of our so-called ISB and II departments. It has been some time since the Empire has been able to boast of their accomplishments. It has been some time since the Empire has been able to be point to these groups and be proud. But it has also been some time since we have had capable human men and women performing the duties required for success within these departments or groups. This is why I have moved the functions of the ISB and the II under the command of COMPNOR.

Admiral Quaxo, will lead our transition team and will facilitate the rehabilitation of these groups. In addition, we will immediately fill the gapping resource holes within these departments with experienced veterans that have a proven track record of success!

~he points to an organization chart and begins to speak further~

Yes, experienced Imperials with proven track records of success will help heal these departments. I expect immediate success and relief from the individuals that I will name now.

My replacement as the Executor will be Grand Admiral Blacklodge, recently out of retirement.

The new Director of the ISB department will be Admiral Samurai.

The new Director of the II department will be Brigadier General Byden.

We are also adding some command level staff to two of our already strong departments, the Navy and the Army. These departments are strong due to the stellar leadership of Vice Admiral Zerk and Major General Drakken. We will add Lord Admiral Iratius as the new MCO with oversight of the Navy and Army.

Darth Knyte will step up from his shadow role as a sith advisor will serve as the leader of our sith operations unit.

Grand Moff Kirov Quel Droma will be more involved in the activities within our core systems.

~The camera recorder zooms in closer as Master Vodo's face~

Do not fear, my friends. For submission to the Dark Side is the basis of your salvation. Submission to the Empire and its political ideals will extend not only your life span of years, but increase the quality of your life. You have nothing to fear when a fleet of star destroyers exit hyperspace and take orbit above your planet. You have nothing to fear, when men in dark cloaks roam your streets with light sabers in hand. You have nothing to fear with the sound of twined ion engines roar overhead of your residential complexes. You have nothing to fear when you hear the clanking foot steps of the Imperial Storm Troopers in your neighborhoods and market places. You have nothing to fear when you see the flag of the Empire flying high above your planets government building. You have nothing to fear when our security forces raid homes used to shelter Jedi and members of the pathetic band of rebel alliance members. You have nothing to fear when our Imperial blockades board your freighters and transport ships to look for stolen property or property purchased on the black market. You have nothing to fear when we drag from your homes those who talk negative against the Imperial state, be it your men, women and children. You have nothing to fear as our un-assimilated alien friends are led up large ramps to large boiling caldrons at our soap factories. You have nothing to fear when our commercial Imperial hunters are stuffing and mounting Wookiee beasts captured in the forests of their home world. You have nothing to fear when you wake up along side your motionless corpse in a new body to only see it completely eaten alive by my scarab beetle droids. You have nothing to fear when you begin to look over your shoulders, because your stomach drops from am overwhelming grip of cold, evil, darkness!

~His image is immediately replaced by an Image of the Imperial seal~

Historical Note

The above was transmitted by Emperor Vodo Bonias to the Galactic Empire on the occasion of his second ascension to the Throne on Year 5 Day 159. A shortened version was sent to the general population over the Galactic News Service; both were titled Total Eclipse. The Farewell of Emperor Uebles was also released on the same day.