2081, Operation Zero (IV)
One year?
Everyone present heard that number, and their first reaction was to wonder whether they had misheard.
"Grand Duke, did you just say... one year?" Francis Underwood asked tentatively.
"That's right! One year!" Tang Xiao's expression twisted viciously. "Is there a problem?"
"Defeating the Galactic Empire in one year is simply impossible." Francis Underwood shook his head. "The gap in strength between us and the Galactic Empire is far too great. Even with advanced technology, we can only barely stand before the Galactic Empire as an opponent. We should..."
"Foolish!!!" Tang Xiao cut Francis off with an angry roar. Looking around at everyone attending the meeting, he spread his arms and shouted, "Defeat the Galactic Empire! Kill Palpatine! The time is now! Why wait? The Duchy of Dawn has never been stronger! Matter Unloaders! Dyson Rings! We possess inexhaustible resources! Eight hundred and thirty billion people united as one! Beneath the banner of the Scourge, our armies are invincible! The Galactic Republic could not defeat us when we were at our weakest, so when we are at our strongest, the Galactic Empire will be trampled beneath our feet!!"
A terrifying golden light glimmered in his eyes as his emotions rose. "I will not give the Galactic Empire time to regroup! They are beset by countless troubles now—the Geth, the Rebel Alliance, the remnants of the Confederacy of Independent Systems! They are plagued by internal strife and surrounded by enemies! I will not give them the chance to solve their internal problems! Before Palpatine can stabilize the political situation, I will show him where the truly fatal blow will come from!"
Matt Hona also frowned deeply. "But the Galactic Empire still holds more than a tenfold advantage in troop numbers. The more prudent approach would indeed