The capital world of Galis Prime burned. From the bridge of his flagship, Jason watched grimly as dropships rained fire on the great city below. The Core Worlds' seat of power would serve as an example to all who resisted.
"Target government facilities and enforcement headquarters," Jason instructed his tactical officer. "But spare civilian zones. I would rule living worlds, not graveyards."
It had taken months of grueling campaigns, but finally Coalition defenses were shattered. Their leaders were in hiding or captured. Now the Shadow Fleet orbited uncontested over planets that once scorned their existence.
"Recall all fighters and have the fleet assemble for holding posture," Jason ordered as signs of surrender emerged across Galis Prime. "Dispatch envoys to start transition negotiations."
The comms officer looked up from his console. "Incoming signal from the planet surface, Admiral. It claims to be high priority."
"Put it through," Jason responded, expecting a desperate governor or officer seeking terms.
Instead, the aged face of Ormun Savas filled the holoscreen. Jason tensed. Savas had been mentor and then betrayer during his first rise as galactic warlord. Seeing the wily tactician again stirred old resentment.
"Darius my boy, it's been too long," Savas opened, as smooth and unruffled as ever.
"Not long enough for some," Jason replied coldly. "Have you contacted me merely to beg for mercy?"
Savas gave an affable chuckle. "Mercy? We both know you were never one for mercy. But I called to congratulate you on this splendid victory. Yours is the vision to usher in a new era from the ashes."
Jason's eyes narrowed. Something in the old man's genial manner felt off. Savas had always been gifted at court intrigues and perception manipulation. This acquiescence seemed out of character for one so used to power.
"Speak your true purpose, Savas. Your honeyed words will sway me no longer."
The aged tactician spread his hands apologetically. "Very well, I shall be direct. This war has ravaged both sides. But together now, we can forge a lasting unity and order."
Jason weighed the offer silently. Part of him longed to confront the man face-to-face. But he had learned caution since their last betrayal. This détente could be a ploy by remaining Coalition factions to get near him.
"I will consider your proposal from the safety of orbit," Jason finally replied. "For now, focus on consolidating your broken forces and restoring order."
He cut the transmission before Savas could respond. The old snake likely hoped to retain power via an "advisory" role. But Jason had other plans for the future order. Those who had lived by ruthlessness would now face justice on his terms.
The weeks after Galis Prime's fall were a time of rapid change. Coalition governors and garrisons surrendered en masse, leaving Jason in control of the Core Worlds and beyond. A tide of hope spread as word came of former dissidents being freed from prisons.
But with expansion came themagnitude of rebuilding war-torn systems. Coordinating provisional councils and security garrisons on multiple worlds taxed even Jason's strategic skills. The Council warned not to overextend resources, lest rebellion take root.
Envoy ships arrived from worlds eager to welcome the new regime and share in the spoils. Jason granted their leaders audiences, but sensed desperation and opportunism in many. He disliked relying on these untested allies.
Inevitably, the greatest envoy fleet came from Galis Prime. Savas personally led the lavish diplomatic delegation requesting formal recognition of his authority in the new order.
Wary of the former enemy, Jason had their shuttle scanned thoroughly in orbit before granting permission to land. He prepared a carefully guarded neutral ground for the delicate meeting.
Savas hid his disappointment at the prudent measures when greeted on the landing platform. If he had hoped to catch Jason unprepared, that opportunity was lost. The young conquering warlord had grown paranoid.
"Darius, I've so looked forward to meeting again!" Savas exclaimed, spreading his hands in welcome.
"That makes one of us," Jason replied coldly. He kept his royal guards close as they proceeded into the meeting hall. Savas was flanked by his own hard-eyed retinue.
"Surely you won't hold some past misunderstandings against me forever," Savas implored as they sat at the negotiating table. "Think of all we could do now, together."
Jason pushed away Savas's document of partnership terms. "You presume much for a defeated enemy. Be grateful I do not dictate involuntarily your planet's fate."
Savas grimaced, dropping his pretense of friendliness. "You always did bite the hand that fed you. But heed me, Darius - you may find consolidation more difficult without local alliances."
"Is that a threat veiled as counsel?" Jason asked mildly. He nodded to his guards. "Take the envoys to await my decision under watch."
The meeting ended tensely. Jason weighed the risks of allowing a viper like Savas to retain power. The cunning old governor would constantly probe for weakness to exploit.
In the end, Jason opted for pragmatism - he would keep Savas in place for now, but neutralized and under close observation. The benefits of stability outweighed other concerns.
In a public address, Jason announced that the old Coalition worlds would have regional autonomy but ultimately answer to his oversector authority. There was murmured discontent from hardliners on both sides, but most accepted the compromise.
With governance structures decided, Jason next focused on remaking the navy. Consolidating so many disparate forces and commanders would be tricky. The Council warned of potential military coup attempts if change happened too swiftly.
Gradually, Jason promoted loyal officers and inserted informants among suspect fleets. He publically praised commanders who embraced his vision while quietly reassigning any resistant. The transition produced minimal unrest.
But even as the Shadow Fleet expanded its reach, Jason doubted complete trust from within. Ambitious underlings perhaps plotted already to advance themselves. He would need to periodically reassert dominance through shows of power.
The burden of command weighed upon Jason as never before. At times he longed simply to pilot a fighter again, enjoying the pure clarity of battle. Impossible dreams now - he served the greater cause. Personal desires must come second to preserving order.
Six months after the war's end, Jason's progress integrating former Coalition territories had been steady if slow. But troubling news reached him from a trusted agent on Galis Prime.
Apparently, Savas was secretly consolidating military forces that had escaped purging. Whispers spoke of preparations for a liberation uprising if Jason overreached. This insurgency had to be crushed before gaining momentum.
But Jason hesitated to initiate outright repression and feed into Savas's narrative. A more subtle approach was needed. Fortunately, he still controlled the media and courts on Galis Prime.
Amid great pomp, Jason arrived unexpectedly in Galis City, stunning the populace. He immediately ordered the arrest of Savas and his senior officials on corruption and abuse charges.
Rigged trials and media coverage quickly convicted the former rulers in the public eye. No uprising materialized as Jason appointed a new provisional government of seemingly innocuous bureaucrats. On the surface, justice was served.
But whispers soon reached Jason's ears of secret executions and disappearances under the new officials. Outer planets sent petitions protesting dangerous overreach. And there were unsettling reports from the HQ fleet of unauthorized troop movements and materiel stockpiling.
Jason realized he had underestimated the depth of Savas's network. By removing the old snake, he had just loosened the reins on these covert elements instead of neutralizing them. It was blowback from rushing consolidation.
Now events were moving beyond his tight control. Likely all scenarios Savas had planned for. Jason felt off-balance, frustrated with himself for the blunder. This shadow uprising required a strong response, lest others get ideas.
He mobilized the joint fleet for a show of strength to discourage secessionist thoughts. A few examples would need to be made for the greater peace. Balance would return in time.
The reality of ruling an empire became clearer to Jason with each passing year. Keeping order required constant vigilance and touch always teetering between boldness and restraint. He now understood why power so often bred ruthlessness.
Perhaps unanimity was impossible sustain. He would simply have to stay ten steps ahead of rivals and keep dominant strength at his side. Not the enlightened realm he had once envisioned, but reality permitted only shades of gray, never clean lines.
Jason gazed out the viewport at the fleet preparing to leave orbit, the armada's might tempered by wisdom hard won. True peace was likely beyond any mortal grasp. But the attempt must still be made. And he would see this vast realm secured, even if by methods beyond the ideal. For a greater good, all was permitted.
With steeled heart, Jason turned from the window and strode toward the throne room. Difficult decisions awaited, but he did not shrink from duty's cold demands. The empire encompassed billions now. Failure could not be an option.
The burden of leadership and its harsh truths awaited. But come what may in the turbulent days ahead, Jason Wake would stand firm.