Chapter Summaries

Tang Xiao visited Professor Chi Jianjun on Dawn Star Planet and discussed the Fourth Civilization’s shipbuilding plans, resource shortages, and need for skilled workers. Chi Jianjun advised him to lead with patience and balance, then revealed a mining technology project that prompted Tang Xiao to ask about the Charger-class escort ship.

• Tang Xiao found Chi Jianjun practicing Tai Chi while remotely advising Feng Yongwang on the Revenge-class destroyer’s keel design.
• Chi Jianjun explained that Feng Yongwang was leading the destroyer project and that the ship was expected to enter experimental construction within two or three months.
• Tang Xiao and Chi Jianjun discussed resource and personnel shortages as the Fourth Civilization expanded manufacturing, infrastructure, and fundamental physics research.
• Chi Jianjun advised Tang Xiao to balance speed with steadiness, and Tang Xiao promised he would live to see the Fourth Civilization’s fleet cross the galaxy.
• Chi Jianjun outlined projects involving Trader Emergency Coalition construction spacecraft, planetary excavation equipment, and United Mining Group mining drones.
• Tang Xiao recognized the United Mining Group’s name and asked whether it had developed the Charger-class mining escort ship.

Tang Xiao welcomed two newly awakened Master Class experts as the Fourth Civilization advanced its EVE Online technologies, mining, and economic reforms. Later, Graham reported that the colony's projects were progressing, while the new experts settled into their work in unusual ways.

• Chi Jianjun told Tang Xiao that the mining drones were intended to boost asteroid-belt resource output, and Tang Xiao approved pursuing EVE Online technology.
• Graham introduced economist Marvin Hitz and computer specialist Tremi Brad to Tang Xiao, who arranged accommodations and assigned Graham to oversee their arrival.
• Marvin Hitz fled his villa on his first night and went to sleep at Chi Jianjun's home, while Tremi Brad stayed inside with the acquired Mainframe and later received help from Luo Feng and technicians.
• Graham reported that Marvin Hitz had begun planning a national bank and new currency, while the Mainframe was still being decrypted.
• Tang Xiao learned that the first ten SCVs had been delivered for training and space construction, and Graham said he was arranging films about the Fourth Civilization's wars and Tang Xiao's family.

Tang Xiao selected Glosse-Shelbia, a Master Class business and trade specialist, to handle negotiations with Hego-Damask II’s representative. On Naboo, Alexi Garin urged King Elsin Veruna to end his Trade Federation contract and trade plasma ore through Black Sun, while Veruna weighed his anger against his obligations to Hego-Damask II and Sheev Palpatine.

• Tang Xiao asked the Mainframe to identify Master Class business negotiators and chose Glosse-Shelbia to be awakened for upcoming talks with Hego-Damask II’s representative.
• At a banquet in Theed, Alexi Garin watched King Elsin Veruna argue with several Trade Federation Neimoidians.
• Veruna complained to Garin that the Trade Federation had driven down the price of Naboo’s plasma ore despite the concessions he had made.
• Garin urged Veruna to end his Trade Federation contract and let Black Sun sell the plasma ore at black-market prices.
• Veruna said Hego-Damask II and Sheev Palpatine had helped him gain the throne, but admitted that the Trade Federation was exploiting Naboo and demanding more from him.

Garin recruited King Veruna into a partnership against Hego-Damask II, while Black Sun investigated Hego’s role in the Tatooine riot. In the Endor system, Vego-Kash-Garulan learned that Iron Tooth-Kuken had died there and ordered the system sealed off to investigate.

• Garin told Veruna that Black Sun would protect Naboo and promised to deal with Hego so Naboo could end its unequal contract with the Trade Federation.
• Veruna agreed to consider working with Black Sun, whose offer for plasma ore was three times the Trade Federation’s price.
• Garin ordered Miguela to investigate Hego’s movements and his decision to cut support for Hutt Gaddula, then told her to have Garulan check whether Kuken’s death was connected to the Tatooine riot.
• A subordinate told Vego-Kash-Garulan that Iron Tooth-Kuken had died in the Endor system, where the Fourth Group was developing a colony.
• Garulan ordered Black Sun to seal off the Endor system with interdiction devices and warn smugglers and bounty hunters that Black Sun was conducting business there.

Tang Xiao assessed the growing alliance against Hego-Damask II and chose Gaddula as his next target. When Damask Holdings sent an insulting representative, Tang Xiao killed him and demanded that Hego replace him.

• Tang Xiao studied the connections among Gaddula, Black Sun, Naboo, Bando Gora, and Hego-Damask II, then tore Gaddula’s name from the board as his next target.
• Tang Xiao prepared to receive representatives from Damask Holdings and ordered Glosse Shelbia to meet them with the highest level of treatment.
• A Muun representative arrived with two assistants and demanded to know why Tang Xiao had not personally received him.
• Tang Xiao stopped the Muun from approaching, asked if he could contact Hego, and told him to request a replacement representative.
• Tang Xiao lifted the Muun with the Force and snapped his neck, causing the two assistants to flee.

Tang Xiao killed a Muun who insulted him, then sent Glosse to study under Clement. On Coruscant, Francis Underwood and his team began building Fourth Group’s influence by preparing a mutual aid fund and targeting a Rodian food-import opportunity.

• Tang Xiao killed the Muun and ordered Logistics Department personnel to dispose of the body.
• Glosse showed little fear of Tang Xiao’s actions, and he assigned her to study under Clement.
• Francis Underwood arrived on Coruscant with Claire Underwood, Doug Stamp, and three T-850s.
• Rosana Goodes briefed Francis on Fourth Group’s limited funds, office, and pending licenses, then helped the group settle into an apartment.
• Francis began planning to use the Outer Rim Planets Mutual Aid Fund to pursue a food-import opportunity involving Erding and the Rodian planet.

Claire proposed an Outer Rim Planets Mutual Aid Fund to Rodian representative Erding, offering technical help to build hydroponic farms in exchange for influence. Underwood arranged to exploit a framed Republic transportation official’s case to reach the press and local security, while warning Doug to wait until trouble escalated.

• Claire told Erding that the Rodian planet could receive experts to help build large enclosed hydroponic farms as an example of Outer Rim mutual aid.
• Erding accepted the proposal conditionally and promised to introduce Claire to the Rodian planet’s Council Representative once he saw the experts.
• Doug Stamp questioned whether the mutual aid fund would succeed, and Francis explained that Claire could gain influence as a champion of disadvantaged planets even if the plan failed.
• Underwood gave Doug the name and address of a Republic transportation official who had been framed after offending the Trade Federation.
• Underwood sent Doug to approach the Coruscant Observer and the district Coruscant Security Office, advising him to alert security only after events had escalated.

Francis sent Doug to verify Gran's willingness to protest the Trade Federation, then went out to enter the political arena. Tang Xiao welcomed a Damask Holdings representative to negotiate, while Anakin befriended a repaired robot and Yuri Orlov delivered weapons to Ephant Mon on Cerea.

• Francis told Doug to confirm that Gran would use extreme means to protest the Trade Federation, then left with a T-850.
• A Generous-class frigate arrived in the Endor system, and Tang Xiao welcomed Hego's representative to discuss cooperation with Damask Holdings.
• Anakin revived a damaged robot, befriended it, and gave it the name Rock Johnson.
• Yuri Orlov delivered rifles and ammunition to Ephant Mon on Cerea, then denied knowing how weapons like them had reached Tatooine.

Tang Xiao oversaw the successful test of the MNLAV-21 Pathfinder-class light attack vehicle and ordered ten to be produced for an upcoming desert battle. Back aboard the Glory, he reviewed the Fourth Civilization’s preliminary cooperation agreement with Damask Holdings Group, which rejected a planetary shield and showed little interest in large transport vessels.

• Yifent-Meng pressured Yuri to stop supplying weapons to Gaddula, and Yuri agreed to revise his supply list.
• Tang Xiao watched the MNLAV-21 complete its desert test and ordered ten vehicles to be manufactured.
• Tang Xiao assigned Glosse and the Mainframe tasks, then went to inspect the Hammerhead-class cruiser repairs and asked for Volgograd-Kanidi to see him after his examination.
• The Mainframe reported that Volgograd-Kanidi needed further medical tests, while Shielbia waited in Tang Xiao’s office with news of a preliminary agreement with Damask Holdings Group.
• Shielbia explained that Damask Holdings Group rejected the planetary shield request and was reluctant to export large transport vessels, and Tang Xiao asked about the remaining terms.

Tang Xiao accepted Damask Holdings Group’s demands for a 30% stake in Fourth Group to secure cooperation, despite recognizing the risks and Hego Damask II’s likely attempts to exploit them. He then asked the hidden Semir whether he wanted revenge, and Semir revealed that Hego had betrayed him.

• Shelbia explained Damask Holdings Group’s proposed warship lease, robot imports, industrial production terms, and request for a 30% stake in Fourth Group.
• Tang Xiao rejected the warship lease but agreed to the 30% stake, insisting that Fourth Civilization retain decision-making authority and that Damask Holdings Group participate in its investment plans.
• Tang Xiao told Shelbia that political trust mattered more than the business terms and that he had plans for Damask Holdings Group.
• After Shelbia left, Tang Xiao questioned Semir, who warned that Hego Damask II’s terms were meant to swallow them whole.
• Tang Xiao asked whether Semir wanted revenge, and Semir said Hego had promised him a position in the InterGalactic Banking Clan before betraying him.

Tang Xiao recruited Semir Tonis into his plan to seize Damask Holdings Group after Hego Damask II’s death, promising Semir a chance to become its vice chairman. He then met Volgograd Kanidi, whom he wanted to command a cruiser as a space pirate, but Kanidi resisted the role.

• Semir revealed that he was formerly Semir Tonis, Fort Tonis’s nephew, and vowed revenge on Hego Damask II.
• Tang Xiao promised to kill Hego and demanded Damask Holdings Group in return; Semir agreed and asked to become its vice chairman.
• Semir asked to join the Tang family, and Tang Xiao agreed on the condition that Semir deliver Damask Holdings Group to him.
• Tang Xiao met Volgograd Kanidi, an experienced former ship supervisor and captain, and offered him command of a cruiser.
• Kanidi refused to become a space pirate, so Tang Xiao outlined his intended logistics and production duties, including overseeing Revenge-class light destroyer construction and a planetary mining base.

Tang Xiao assigned Kanidi to oversee the Ironfang-class cruiser and work with Buka’s Kig-Yar pirates, despite Kanidi’s reluctance. The Kig-Yar submitted after Tang Xiao used the Force to subdue Buka, and they left for Tatooine to rob Hutt Gaddula’s ships while Kanidi prepared to supervise the destroyer’s construction.

• Tang Xiao appointed Kanidi captain of the Ironfang-class cruiser and promised to transfer him to logistics work within three years.
• Tang Xiao summoned Buka and his Kig-Yar, and Kanidi recoiled at the sight of the aliens.
• Buka protested that he would not accept a human commander, so Tang Xiao lifted him with the Force and hurled him against the door.
• Tang Xiao ordered the Kig-Yar to obey Kanidi and target Hutt Gaddula’s ships near Tatooine, and Buka led his group away after submitting.
• Tang Xiao told Kanidi to oversee construction of the Revenge-class light destroyer and keep the Kig-Yar from going too far.

Black Sun pirates arrived in the Endor system and began deploying interdiction devices, prompting Tang Xiao to ready the Fourth Civilization’s forces. He sent fighters and frigates toward the pirate fleet as the Wraith fighters prepared for their first real battle.

• Vego Kash Garulan ordered Black Sun ships to blockade the Endor system and attack the InterGalactic Banking Clan’s client there.
• Qi Jian alerted Tang Xiao that more than ten hostile ships were deploying interdiction devices at the edge of the system.
• Tang Xiao identified the black sun emblem and summoned Glosse Shelbia and Professor Chi Jianjun’s research team to the bridge.
• Tang Xiao told Glosse Shelbia that the pirate attack would give her leverage in negotiations with Damask Holdings Group.
• Thirty-six Wraith fighters and twelve Hammer-class frigates launched toward the pirates, followed by twelve disorderly Wraith fighters piloted by Kig-Yar.
• Tang Xiao and the bridge crew watched as the Wraith fighters approached their first real combat engagement.

Tang Xiao’s forces destroyed a Black Sun fleet after the pirates attacked their trade route, and he ordered the CR-70 frigate destroyed even after its crew requested surrender. On Cerea, Yuri Orlov told Yifent Mon about the battle, and Yifent asked to buy Wraith fighters.

• Tang Xiao rallied the Fourth Civilization pilots with the declaration, “I am the Calamity,” before their forty-eight Wraith fighters attacked the Black Sun fleet.
• The Kig-Yar pilots charged the enemy formation and fired their missiles, while human pilots and Hammer-class frigates struck the Black Sun ships in coordinated attacks.
• The Fourth Civilization destroyed most of the fleet, and the Black Sun ships could not escape because the Fourth Civilization had set up an Interdictor.
• Qi Jian told Tang Xiao that the CR-70 frigate had requested surrender, but Tang Xiao ordered that no survivors be left.
• On Cerea, Yuri Orlov told Yifent Mon that the Fourth Civilization had dealt with the pirates, and Yifent asked to buy Wraith fighters.

Francis Underwood considered the Fourth Civilization a promising investment, while Darth Pregas turned his attention to Bando Gosa. On Tatooine, Magtan Scar and his companions struggled to survive, and Gaddula learned that the Grand Hutt Council would not intervene in her conflict with Jabba.

• Francis Underwood told Claire he wanted to become an outstanding Imperial Chancellor and thought the Fourth Civilization was worth investing in.
• Darth Pregas watched the Wraith fighters destroy Black Sun’s frigate and decided to investigate Bando Gosa while Tang Xiao kept Vego Kash Garulan occupied.
• Vego Kash Garulan ordered an investigation into the Endor system colony’s origins and warned his subordinates not to act rashly.
• Magtan Scar and Broderick Shale learned from Jason Statham that they had to dig out buried supplies on Tatooine and survive until Yuri Orlov returned.
• The Grand Hutt Council rejected Gaddula’s request to punish Jabba and declared that the two Hutts must settle their dispute themselves.
• Gaddula told her contacts that the Council had rejected her appeal, Hego Damask II had withdrawn his funding, and Tatooine was beyond saving.

Alexi Garin enlisted Gaddula to kill Hego Damask II in exchange for Black Sun’s support and a future smuggling partnership. Tang Xiao then freed Cun Te to explore the galaxy and tasked him with finding the lost Blade Fleet and uncovering Black Sun’s assassination plan against Hego.

• Alexi Garin offered to help Gaddula regain control of Tatooine if Gaddula killed Hego Damask II and later aided Black Sun’s smuggling fleet.
• Tang Xiao told Cun Te that the Lancer was now his ship and that he could form an adventuring party and travel freely.
• Tang Xiao asked Cun Te to search for the vanished Blade Fleet, two hundred Dreadnought-class cruisers whose crews had been driven mad by the Hive virus.
• Tang Xiao explained that Black Sun had allied with Gaddula, Bando Gora, and Ars Veruna to assassinate Hego, and asked Cun Te to discover when they planned to strike.
• Tang Xiao said he would expose Black Sun’s plan to Hego and claim credit, then told Cun Te that he could foresee the future.

Tang Xiao continued Darth Pregas’s training by destroying Bando Gosa hideouts and retrieving a storage device that might reveal who was plotting against Pregas. As Pregas trusted him more and assigned him new work, Tang Xiao moved closer to exploiting Pregas’s inability to sense danger and pursuing his own plan.

• Tang Xiao killed thirteen people at a Bando Gosa hideout while Darth Pregas watched and praised his efficiency.
• Tang Xiao gave Pregas a storage device taken from the hideout, and Pregas ordered him to have his technical team examine it quickly.
• Pregas told Tang Xiao to investigate Bando Gosa, practice using the Force more precisely, and arrange production of ten Wraith fighters for Mulinst Planet’s defense force.
• Tang Xiao reflected that Pregas’s lost ability to foresee danger made him feel safe and trust Tang Xiao, giving Tang Xiao room to pursue his plan.

Tang Xiao visited the Computer Science Department and learned that the recovered mainframe contained data on a planet-destroying nuclear bomb intended to assassinate Hego Damask II. He assigned Super Lotus new work and watched a Mobile Command Center head out to establish a mine, only to learn the Ewoks had made it a symbol of him.

• Tang Xiao met Super Lotus at Terimi Brad’s villa and learned she could not break into Black Sun’s network without capturing one of its higher-ups.
• Super Lotus showed Tang Xiao evidence of corruption by Semirian senator Tunback Tula, and he told her to give it to Francis Underwood.
• Terimi Brad revealed that the mainframe from Bando Gosa’s space station contained data on a nuclear bomb capable of permanently destroying a planet’s ecosystem, which Tang Xiao identified as the weapon meant to assassinate Hego Damask II.
• Tang Xiao asked Super Lotus to trace the nuclear bomb’s materials, then arranged for her to visit Yuri Orlov on Cerea before taking an assistant role with Rosana Goodes on Coruscant next month.
• Tang Xiao and Graham watched a Mobile Command Center travel toward a new mine, and Graham explained that the Ewoks regarded it as a symbol of Tang Xiao, their Great Spirit.

Dawn City expanded rapidly as B-1 battle droids took over many jobs and the Fourth Civilization built schools and media infrastructure. Tang Xiao presided over the maiden voyage of two Revenge-class light destroyers, leaving the Fourth Civilization with its first warships ready to venture beyond its star system.

• Dawn City’s population reached 40,000 as imported droids supported construction and other work, while residents trained for new jobs.
• Tang Xiao ordered the expansion of schools and the founding of Dawn Media, which launched Voice of the Galaxy and Dawn Channel.
• Reporters invited Tang Xiao to the Glory mothership for a live broadcast of the Revenge-class light destroyers’ maiden voyage.
• Tang Xiao revealed two 108.7-meter Revenge-class destroyers, each armed with cannons and carrying four Wraith fighters.
• Tang Xiao declared the ships’ maiden voyage, and their crews saluted before boarding and powering up both destroyers.

Tang Xiao arranged secret support for Gaddula to weaken Jabba while Hego Damask II waited to exploit the conflict. On Cerea, Yuri Orlov and Super Lotus prepared a covert cyberattack tied to a weapons deal with Ifent Mon.

• After Jabba and Gaddula’s war spread across Mos Espa and Tatooine’s space lanes, Gaddula repeatedly begged Hego Damask II for help.
• Tang Xiao advised Hego to wait, and Hego ordered him to discreetly support Gaddula before later switching sides to Jabba.
• Tang Xiao told the Mainframe to send Volgograd Kanidi’s pirate ships and asked Yuri Orlov to make Santa Claus appear.
• On Cerea, Super Lotus finished hacking Ifent Mon’s computers and planted a trojan that could reach Jabba’s system through a future deal.
• Yuri Orlov discussed overcharging Ifent Mon for Wraith fighters and reached toward Super Lotus.