After the initial shock, the news of the emperor's death were handled with a great dismay. As a civilian, having been killed by the Federals did put a further stain on their cause, especially when footage allegedly originating from the palace, sources unknown, showed what seemed a Federal trooper killing the Emperor in cold blood. 

As the Imperial government had indicated that it wanted a cease fire, the offensive operations on Aresia had ceased. On the other hand, the troops left there were not going to give in to the enemy and defended the positions around the former palace area, where the Federal troops had concentrated in. 

All in all, the Imperium's darkest hour had come and anyone who tried to continue their normal life on the planet could feel it, even though it wasn't necessary visible.

The Federal troops who made isolated insurrections to the East were however pushed back by surprisingly stiff resistance from surprisingly large numbers of veteran legions of Agamemnon still stationed there, indicating that the Imperium still had fight left in it.

Arion

The delegation was headed by who appeared as the leading figure of the Curia, Lucius Murcius Paulinus, followed by a handful of senators.

''I am Curator Lucius Murcius Paulinus and on behalf of the Imperium Galactica I concede our defeat and call for a cease fire. I have come to hear and your terms for a lasting peace between our two nations.'' he said curtly.