Elysiar had always felt just one step ahead of the galaxy's gaze.
Hidden by distance, grown in silence, protected by its anonymity and the strange grace of a world that wanted to be left alone—and was only now beginning to awaken.
But that time was ending.
The signs had become too clear, the stirrings in the Force too loud. Visitors were coming. Drawn by curiosity, power, destiny—or danger. Adam had felt the pulse himself. So had Mara. Even those with no active Force sensitivity had sensed the shift.
And so, Elysiar would prepare—not in fear, but with intent.
Adam stood at the center of the Nexus Spire's council chamber, watching the room fill with familiar faces: Tywin Lannister, Mara Jade, Serin, several administrative and security leads. Their faces were serious, but calm.
Outside the wide windows, construction drones could already be seen weaving paths of light through the sky, adjusting transit grids and laying new infrastructure nodes.
A new phase of growth had begun.
"We've had months to focus on ourselves," Adam said as the meeting began. "But now we shift to the next stage. We are no longer invisible. That means managing what comes next."
He brought up the projected interface with a gesture, revealing planetary perimeter scans and internal status alerts.
"The system has flagged multiple indicators of inbound presence. Nothing direct—yet—but it's enough to act."
Step One: A Visible Defense
Serin took point at the display console, her tone firm.
"We're moving into active perimeter patrols at all times. The Hammerhead cruiser will remain in a visible low orbit position, flanked by the Thranta corvettes."
She expanded the projection to include a new orbital grid.
"Our interceptor wings—Aurek-class starfighters—will operate in silent sweep rotations. No lock-ons unless threatened. We show we're alert, not afraid."
"And if someone tests our readiness?" Adam asked.
Serin's lips curved faintly. "Then they'll discover exactly how ready we are."
Mara nodded approvingly.
Step Two: Department Formation
Tywin Lannister stepped forward next, calm and deliberate as always.
"We're establishing a new branch within Elysiar's civil framework—one designed specifically for interplanetary interaction."
He gestured to the display as a model of the facility unfolded into view.
"Department of Interplanetary Relations and Customs."
"It will serve as both a reception center and a filter. All non-citizen arrivals will go through this department. We determine who they are, what they want, and if they stay. Diplomatic reception, cultural exchange, threat assessment—consolidated and controlled."
Adam crossed his arms. "Good. I want all incoming movement routed through it—even unscheduled landings. No free passes."
"The facility will be linked to the central power grid," Tywin continued, "and built with both elegance and unbreachable defense. The shield protocols will engage automatically under duress."
"Timeline?" Serin asked.
"With the system's support?" Tywin replied. "Seventy-two hours."
Step Three: Protocol for Force-Sensitives
Mara's tone was measured, but beneath her calm lay steel.
"Not everyone coming will be aligned," she said. "Some might be Jedi. Some Sith. Others… unknown. We can't treat Force-sensitives as a monolith."
Adam nodded. "We need a doctrine."
"I'll write it," Mara said. "One that honors balance. That doesn't assume allegiance. That judges based on intent and not history."
She looked around the room. "This city was born of something new. Let's act like it."
As the meeting closed, the team dispersed to begin implementation. Construction drones accelerated across the city. Power conduits shimmered as shield nodes were calibrated. Summoned civilians and tactical units alike began adapting to new response roles.
And on a balcony high above the growing Department of Interplanetary Relations, Adam stood quietly with Mara at his side.
Below them, Count Dooku approached, pausing before the wide view of the city.
"You're building a true bastion," he said softly.
"Then let's make sure it lasts," Adam replied.
Dooku nodded but remained silent—his role still that of an outsider. Not unwelcome. Not untrusted. But not part of the machine.
He understood that.
And respected it.
Because something was coming.
And only those rooted in this world's strange, wondrous power would be ready.