146, first step
20 levels underground on Coruscant.
In this residence, which was already much more spacious and luxurious than before, Francis Underwood stood by the window, looking out at the almost never-extinguished feasting and feasting in the basement of the planet Coruscant, one after another.
Smoking a cigarette.
He had been smoking for half the night, and the ashtray in front of him was filled with cigarette butts. The rising smoke even attracted the Republic's security patrol. The patrol team came over on a hoverbike, and looked at him strangely as he was swallowing clouds.
Francis glanced at him and left without saying a word.
Claire Underwood became a hero as he wished, and now the outside media and newspapers are reporting on it. And under his secret control and guidance, those media directly portrayed Claire as a person who resisted the power of the Trade Alliance and fought for
The Outer Rim trailing planets make sounds for heroes.
But Francis Underwood couldn't be happy no matter what, because the process of achieving this goal was too tortuous and dangerous, so much so that Claire had to take risks and resort to bitter tactics to finally achieve her goal.
However, he also knew that the only way he could repay Claire was to keep going, go further, and become stronger.
This was the promise he made when he and Claire got married.
What Claire needs is more than gentle words of comfort. This woman's desire for power is even stronger than his own. If she can't stand in the spotlight, it will be worse for her than death.
A figure came over, took the half-smoked cigarette from Francis's hand naturally, put it into his mouth and took a deep breath, then put out the remaining cigarette butts, "This is the last one tonight.
"
"You should rest in the hospital." Francis did not look back, but said lightly.
"Although the location of the mini-bomb has moved slightly, the damage I suffered is still controllable. The doctor said I still need to rest for a few days, but it's not possible. I must show up tomorrow to make a statement, so that I can stay with the Trade Federation.
If there is no room left, Rune Harco would not have to leave the stage so early." Claire and Francis stood side by side, looking at the scenery outside the window together.
She paused and then asked: "What about you? How is it going?"
Francis closed the cigarette case and said: "This incident is enough to bring greater attention to our fourth civilization. What I need next is to talk to Rodia, Jabim and Samiles.
Further cooperation between these planets that have just established friendly relations. I am going to sell some of the blade fighters that have been eliminated from the military to the planet Rodia. Their food channels need more escort."
"Where's Palpatine?" Claire asked.
"If nothing else happens, he will come to me soon. I have also heard a lot about the recent trends in the Galactic Parliament. Speaker Finis Valorum was being investigated and impeached for accepting bribes. His life is very ugly.
It's better. So, he plans to push forward a bill...to tax the outer ring star region." Francis said.
"Haha... You know Frank, what surprises me is that the Galactic Republic has been established for more than 20,000 years, but it still has no way to collect taxes from the Outer Rim Sector. How ironic."
"That's because of the trade alliance and other business giants. The outer ring star area is basically a business district controlled by them. More than 90% of the external communication and exchanges on the outer ring planet must go through giant enterprises such as the trade alliance. Therefore,
If Speaker Valoran can successfully implement this bill, it will be a feat for the Republic, and all the controls on him will become weak." A sneer appeared on the corner of Francis's mouth, "But... this
The bill is poaching the Trade Federation."
"No wonder the Trade Federation would rather settle down on the issue of my mutual aid fund. It seems that they are also feeling the pressure from the Galactic Council. If Palpatine came to you, what would he ask you to do?"
"The manager still cannot be contacted, but he has already made a series of predictions about Palpatine's political strategy. So if his judgment is correct, Palpatine wants to be a peacemaker in this matter.
Man, on the surface, neither party is offended, but secretly helping the Trade Federation has made Finis Valorum lose face." Francis said.
"how about you?"
"After this incident, Palpatine may invite us to participate in this bill, because the existence of the mutual aid fund gives us some say in the outer planets. So this bill will be our entry into the galaxy
The beginning of the political center." Francis smiled lightly.
"In this case, the physical pain I suffered will not be in vain." Claire said with a smile.
"Oh dear, if there is a second option, I will never do it." Francis shook his head, but the two of them were still looking at the scenery outside the window side by side, without a hug or anything.
the meaning of.
"When you become the Prime Minister of the Empire, come and apologize to me."
…
On the planet Sojoron, two months later.
The luxurious and lively party has ended long ago, but there are still some guests staying on the planet. They are all the lucky ones who have reached some agreements with the owner of this place, Hego Damask II, and they still need to continue to have in-depth discussions.
Hege was holding a wine glass and chatting with the ugly big bug Mrs. Vixi. They were discussing how to carve up the industry on the planet Malastar. The young leader of the Bloody Dawn, Dryden Vos, was also participating.
Both Pixi and Voss are emerging leaders of organizations in the galaxy. What they have in common is that they are ruthless, do whatever they can, and are powerful.
Heige likes to deal with people like this very much. His way of doing things is to constantly support such emerging forces to challenge the old order, always keeping the water in the Milky Way turbid, and then constantly absorbing nutrients from it.
During the conversation, Hege's eyes swept over the ancient castle on the mountain from time to time, with an inexplicable smile on his lips.
In his perception of the dark side of the Force, the chaotic dark will in the direction of the ancient castle had long since disappeared, replaced by a death-like silence.
Even in the perception of the Force, there is deathly silence there, as if there is nothing. It is also as if there is a being that has absorbed everything inside! Those dark wills that remain in the ruins of the castle, now
All have disappeared!
In that direction, it's like there is a cocoon wrapped in the power of the dark side, which is constantly converging, converging, converging, and then...
Break out of the cocoon!
This chapter has been completed!