Hello everybody, this is the next chapter of The Imperium of Mankind's Rise. Now I have a few reviews to answer.
wchristank: When I told how many men Hadrian had under his command I meant the Imperial Guardsmen he had. He can't just use the crew as soldiers on the battlefield. Plus most Inquisitors don't require large amounts of troops, most have ten squads at the most. Now as for the Void Shield, it can be taken down by collisions plus it would take more power for the Void Shield's battery to stop the near light speed Mass Accelerator round compared to the slower Macro and various weapons of Warhammer 40k. The force of the Mass rounds could theoretically cause the force of an atomic explosion so they could break through a Void Shield plus I had to give the Citadel species a chance in space otherwise it would be boring as hell.
neterlan: Thanks, I forgot about the Jokaero Weaponsmiths. I am glad you noticed the reference. I don't really agree to the Imperium allowing the Turians or Asari to live though. Really the Quarians and Krogan I could see but The Imperium really wouldn't care about the Citadel Species due to the fact they can't even attack Imperial planets due to the lack of a non-element zero FTL. For the final thing, no I have no intentions of bringing Chaos into this story.
Fallen-Ryu: Thank you. 1) The Quarians will not be stupid but they do know they need help so I will try to balance that fact with the need to be careful.
2) I agree with you about the Asari, they manipulate people into abandoning their culture for the one the Asari control. The Asari won't like the Imperium.
3) I have no real idea of how the Geth and the Imperium will interact yet.
4) I agree but the carnivore thing would be more the Tyranids, the Imperium would just kill you laugh and then take your home and tear it down for Imperial approved housing. Yes the Reapers will be in for a nasty suprise and you don't fuck with the Imperium and expect to get away with it.
Now then I will start the show. Please turn off all cellphones, they are a distraction to the other patrons... just kidding.
The Admiralty Board was talking as they headed toward the Suvum to meet these Imperials. Admiral Shala spoke first, "Twenty minutes ago a enormous vessel appeared near the Flotilla and hailed the Suvum. The vessel calls itself The Emperor's Devine Will. It is 4.3 kilometers long but shows no main gun, presumably this vessel relies on different means to protect itself, but it has several broadside weapons. The Human in charge calls himself Inquisistor Hadrian Guskoff of a group called Ordos Xenos. He says he is here for talks between our people."
Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema spoke, "Do we have any idea if they are lying? We can't afford to have a vessel of that size to rampage across the Flotilla." Admiral Shala shook her head, "I am afriad not, we only have their word right now. I however don't think they are lying, why bother if you have such a large vessel, either their telling the truth or that vessel has no real firepower and as we can see the broadside weapons I think we can trust them for now."
Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib nodded his head, "Ok, so we are pretty sure they don't have hostile intentions but meeting on the Suvum was a good idea, Shala. What is the plan for the talks though, do we have any ideas?" A marine stepped forward. "Admirals, we are five minutes out and the Humans have sent three drop ships sized vessels to the Suvum and the Captain is welcoming them aboard."
Hadrain stood with Neela, Saint Faith, and Hybris in front of the Quarian captain as he welcomed them to the Suvum. Everyone in the hangar were surprised and in awe of Faith's pure white wings. Neela quickly walked over and spoke to him, Neela was wearing her Enviro-Suit in order for there not be a panic at the sight of her out of one. "Greeting Captain, Neela'Hasar nar Suvum, it is a pleasure to be back aboard the Suvum, Sir." Captain Zenn smiled and nodded to her, happy to have one of their's return to the ship. "Greetings Neela, I am sure your parents will be thrilled to know your alright. Now, if you could introduce me to your companians please."
Neela nodded and turned, "Captain Zenn'Raamm, this is Inquisitor Hadrian Guskoff, Ordos Xenos, and this is Lady Faith, Living Saint of the Sisters of Battle. Coming down the ramp is Brother Volkmar of the DeathWatch chapter and Hack Slish." Volkmar and Hack stepped down next to Hadrian. They left their main weapons, though they all carried a Bolt Pistol and in Hadrian and Faith's cases, a Power Sword. Zenn nodded to each of them. "Welcome to the Suvum." They started walking through the ship and Zenn spoke a bit about the ship. "The Suvum used to be a Turian Heavy Frigate, the Flotilla bought her from the Turian Navy about eighty years ago when they were going to decommission her. We fixed her up and added some improvements to her design. In fact, the Turians sold us a couple cargo ships in return for the blueprint of the refurbished version."
Hadrian walked beside the Captain looking over the ship, it had obvious patches and fixed spots but the vessel was still going strong. "I have to abmit, this vessel is very well taken care of. Actually the only ships I would say were better preserved would be the Emperor-class Battleships. Those are thousands of years old though." Zenn was surprised at that knowledge but continued.
Hadrain noticed Neela stiffen and glance at a pair of Quarians standing to the side. Hadrian quickly guessed it to be her parents. He stepped up beside her and whispered, "You can see your parents after we meet the Admirals, I need you to be there, they will want someone they can trust to tell them the truth. I promise you will have some time to speak to them after." Neela nodded and waved to her parents and continued walking.
Hack spoke slowly, "What is that ball thingy over there?" Zenn turned to see a Enviro-Ball rolling down the hall. "That is an Enviro-Ball, children don't get their first Enviro-Suit until their about ten, so the Ball is used before then." Hack nodded and followed Faith. Zenn turned to Hadrian who had returned to his spot next to the Captain, "I don't mean to be rude but is there something wrong with him?" Hadrian shook his head, "Hack is an Ogryn, they as a sub-species of Humans are not very intelligent. Although they lack intelligence they make up for it in strength and loyalty." Zenn nodded and walked on.
Finally they arrived in a semi-large room with a table in the center. "I apologise for the size but space is a premium on the Flotilla." Hadrian waved him off and sat on one side with Neela sitting to his left and Faith to his right. Minutes after they sat the Admirals entered the room. One of them, a female by her figure greeted them, "Greetings, I am Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay. My fellows are Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema, Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib, Admiral Real'Zorah vas Rayya, Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh."
Hadrian stood and bowed to her, "I am Inquisitor Hadrian Guskoff, my companions are Artisan Hybris, of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Saint Faith, Living Saint of the Sisters of Battle, Brother Volkmar, Adeptus Astartes DeathWatch Chapter, and Hack Slish, Bone'head Ogryn. We are represenatatives of The Imperium of Mankind. I hope we will be allies eventually." Hadrian could tell two of the five seemed happy with that as they relaxed slighty.
Shala nodded and took the reins as spokeswoman, "How exactly could we help each other, Inquisitor? I mean, our people are having a hard enough time keeping this fleet safe and repaired." Hadrain shook his head, "We don't need your fleet. We need a work force. In return for the protection and help of the Imperium, the Quarian people will in return work as engineers and workers in the Forge World that is being constructed."
The Admirals were shocked at the request. They would work in factories and on ships for the Humans, in return for protection. They couldn't believe that he had said that, "Why do you believe we would accept that and be little more then slaves," Rael asked stiffly, angry at the Human's arrogance. "No I don't expect you to just agree, those terms are what my Lords want most of all. I do believe talks would turn into negotiations of what each side wants and are willing to give to get those things." Hadrian replied calmly. "I have no intention of enslaving anyone, my Lords told me to bring the Quarian people under the Golden Aquilla by any means necessary, including invading this fleet and taking control by force." At the looks of the Admirals he continued, "I have no intentions or wish to do so but I am able to. I would prefer to peaceful talks and negotiations instead."
Admiral Gerral nodded, "We would require a Quarian presence among our protectors, the people would feel safer and less threatened if there were Quarian Marines protecting them, what exactly would our jobs be on this "Forge World" of yours, though?" The other Admirals were surprised at his relaxed request and question. "Well, I am fine with the Quarians having a presence in the defense of their home. We could easily structure them as a PDF force on the planet, that would be easily accepted. As for work, the Forge Worlds manufacture countless products from farming equipment to our mighty Imperial Titans. They would work on assembly lines, inventory work, maintenance and even mining crews in the planets core. Actually, we might have your Flotilla repaired and sent out as mining ships across this "Citadel Space" to mine for materials to be exported across the Imperium."
Shala spoke, "I have to ask why do you want our people as workers. Surely you have people of your own to do these jobs. Don't you?" Hadrian nodded slightly, "We have the people but we are at war with several different enemies. We are hoping to use your people as a work force so we can funnel the extra Human workers into the Imperial Guard. The extra men will allow us to push forward in theaters that are deadlocked due to not enough men to send as reinforcements. Seventeen million men would allow us to push back against our enemies in so many battles and it would relieve many Sectors."
After twenty minutes of back and forth demands and relinquished requests they still hadn't fully hammered out anything, the Admirals because they wanted to make sure their people wouldn't be taken advantage of and the Imperials due to the fact they wanted to make sure they Quarians didn't have too much leeway. Finally Hadrian spoke, "I believe we will stop for the day to gather our thoughts on the matter. I do however invite you to see the Forge World and the might of the Imperium, so as to show that we can indeed protect your people completely. Neela, Lady Faith shall escort you back to the Devine Will when you are done here, I will have a Valkyrie wait for you."
After Neela nodded Hadrian stood and three Quarian Marines escorted them out. The admirals looked to Neela, "Ms. Hasar, what can you tell us of the Imperials? Will they or can they truly invade the Flotilla?" Neela didn't know how to put it delicately so just spoke bluntly, "Yes they could, The Devine Will is classed as a Light Cruiser. They have countless soldiers in the Imperial Guard."
Rael spoke, disbelievingly, "How could they have that many numbers and expect seventeen million men to help if they still can't win?" Neela spoke, "I don't know much about their enemies unfortunately but they could easily tear through the entire known galaxy even if everyone banded together, Admirals. They even have Lasguns as their Guardsmen's main weapon, with things like Plasma weapons as heavy weapons."
She pulled up her Omni-tool and played a video, it showed a squad of Batarians running down a street, the video seemed to be from a security camera. The Batarians fired upon a squad of Guardsmen who dived for cover behind a parked Air-speeder and they returned fire with ruby red beams of Lasguns, the crack of them firing has heard over the sound of Accelerrator fire. The beams of death hit a Batarian in the chest ripping holes through him effortlessly, he fell back as the air became even more filled with deadly metal pellets or red beams. The fight was fierce for a minute until a huge tank turned the corner and a sponson turret fired a literal wave of bullets into the Batarian's flank ripping the eight men apart like paper.
Xen spoke, excitedly, "What kind of vehicle was that?" She seemed eager to examine the vehicle. Neela spoke, unsure of how to best explain, "I was told it was a Leman Russ, a class of Human tanks. It is considered the primary tank of the Imperial forces. It is armed with a Battle Cannon and a hull mounted Heavy Bolter. It can carry two sponson turrets if needed. There are many variants of the Leman Russ in service."
Admiral Koris asked Neela, "What is your opinion of them Neela? I want you to be honest, please." Neela nodded and replied, "I think we should join them, Admirals. They only stumbled upon our space due to the stupidity of the Batarians, how long until on of their enemies finds us? From what I understand it won't end well for us. The Imperium don't care for xenos but they will treat us a little better then the Citadel would. They atleast have good reason to not trust xenos. I can say easily that while not perfect, they will help us recover from the last three hundred years and they could retake Rannoch from the Geth."
She removed the hood on her enviro-suit and removed her face plate, "They even made it to where I can remove my suit without fear of dying by disease." The Admirals were shocked at her being able to remove the suit. "Thank you Neela, we will discuss this and make our decision after we see this Forge World. Now I am sure you wish to see your parents before returning to the Devine Will. Neela stood and bowed to the Admirals before leaving.
Stepping out of the room Neela saw Faith standing near a crowd of Quarians, many of whom were the ones saved from Magnus Prime. She was speaking softly to a man, "Our people have been in space since the beginning of the 3rd Millennium when our first colony ships were sent into the cold void of space. We have expanded ever since."
A woman asked, "What year is it now, by your calendar?" Faith turned to her, "It is the year 999.M41, the Forty-First Millennium of the Imperium. We have come far under the guidance of the God-Emperor of Mankind." The crowd was in shock at the year, the Citadel Council was only roughly twenty-seven hundred years old. The Imperium was a great many times older then the Asari even.
The Quarians who had been saved lingered around her almost reverently, they seemed to regard her with the upmost respect and she seemed to see them as children who were eager to learn from her. A child, in what was possibly his first Enviro-Suit walked up to her, nervous at her gaze when she looked at him, "Um, how come you have wings and the others didn't?" He looked at her curiously. She smiled at him, "I fought against a great evil and fell in honorable combat killing the abomination and saving many worlds from it's cruel wrath. My Sisters carried my body to a Shrine World and wept at my sacrifice. The God-Emperor Himself returned me to life as my service in His Name showed my loyalty was unflinching. Three days after my death I arose from the the platform my Sisters set me upon in their grief."
The Quarians around her listened in awe at her. She turned towards Neela, "I will wait her while you speak to your parents, child. Go on, I can wait." Neela nodded and walked over to her parents as Faith spoke to the Quarians who gathered around her asking questions.
Two days later three Quarian frigates carrying a group of representatives from the Flotilla arrived at the newly established Forge World Thonos. In the four weeks since they first crossed the Relay the Adeptus Mechanus had been hard at work buildimg the Forge World as a defense from Xeno invasions. Around fifteen percent of the roughly Terra sized plant was covered by three massive Manufactorums, Dragos, Titanus, and Makros. The rest of the planet for the most part was still undeveloped but several areas had been surveyed for minerals and metals. One site for Hive city was being prepared as well.
The Admiralty Board had sent engineers mostly along with Admirals Rael'Zorah and Admiral Daro'Xen. The sixteen also had some military training as well. The moment they arrived six large vessels could be seen nearby. One hailed them, "Quarian vessel, this is Captain Marcus of the Defense Monitor Alpha, please maintain your course to these coordinates, Inquisitor Hadrian will meet you on Thonos." The three frigates followed the directions and as they came into view of Thonos they were shocked by the level of construction.
As they reached orbit the frigates saw the Devine Will and another ship a little bigger but otherwise very similar. The representative flew down in a shuttle, the group mainly of tech specialists and engineers. Landing at the largest cluster of structures the Quarians were met by Inquisitor Hadrian, Neela, and five Imperial Guardsmen. "Welcome to Thonos, I hope you enjoy our little tour."
The group past several squads of Guardsmen training, exercising, and using a makeshift firing range. Rael knew that the Guard used Lasguns but hearing it and seeing it were two different things. "Who are they?" Rael asked Hadrian, he turned towards them. "Those are the 912th Cadian Mechanized Infantry Division. Every Imperial planet usually has an Imperial Guard presence on it to complement the Planetary Defense Forces." They continued on the tour as a group of Servitors marched by carrying a large pieces of metal past them.
The Quarians watched as several trucks rumbled past down a simple ceramite road way. Sentinels ran past on patrol, Hydra Flak tanks swept the skies as the Basilisk artillery were being checked and Blessed by Tech-Priests. Inside the Manufactorum they were met by a heavily modified Tech-Priest. The Priest had his legs removed and replaced by several Mechadendrites and one arm was replaced by a power saw that could be changed. The flesh that was left had Electoos cutting across the skin like a glowing tattoo. The Tech-Priest floated forward and spoke in a deep monotone, "Greetings, Inquisitor Guskoff, I welcome you to Manufactorum Titanus. Is there anything i can do for you, like an implant to remove that useless flesh?" Hadrian shakes his head, "No thank you Magos Artisan, but I am showing these people around the Manufactorum. I was hoping an Adept could but if it's not going to bother you."
The tour was rather simple, the Quarians asking a question now and then, like with the Skitarii guards or the Servitors, as they exited the building they felt the ground shake. "You got it repaired I take it," He asked the Magos. The Magos nodded and hurried forward with the Inquisitor right on his heels.
Rael grabbed Neela's arm as she passed him, "What are they talking about?"
She pulled her arm away and beckoned them to follow her. "I saw it when they brought it her two days ago." The ground trembled again as the largest machine marched out from a set of massive doors leading deep into the Manufactorum. The machine stood at eighty-five meters and the thing looked mean. There were two large cannons on the shoulders and it had another two cannons as it's arms. It lumbered forward on two thick boxy legs ending in two wide flat feet to stabilize the massive construct.
"Keelah, what is that monstrosity?" A Quarian whispered to another. "That is the Warlord-class Battle Titan Invictus. It was recently retrieved from Forge World Graia after an Ork invasion. The invasion consisted of over a million Orks and was stopped by the second company of Ultramarines led by Captain Titus." Hadrian had walked over while they were distracted by the amazing sight before them.
"The Warlord-class carries two shoulder mounted Turbo-Laser Devastators with a Volcano Cannon and Gatling Blaster on it's arms. It is eighty-five meters tall and roughly twenty-two wide (this is a guess, there is no exact size). This is the second largest class of Titan next to the Emperor-class Titan."
The Quarians were shocked that this wasn't even the largest war machine in the Imperium. They watched the Titan step forward and level the Turbo-Laser Devastators at a target, a Batarian tank taken from Magnus Prime, and fired a single blast. The blast completely destroyed the tank and carved a meter deep trench in the ground for about eight meters across the plain.
Rael asked Hadrian about the Titan, "What kind of armor does it have, Titanium, Paladium?" Hadrian laughed at that, "No, we use Adamantium plating about a foot thick." That shocked the group, Adamantium was a semi-rare substances used as no one had the technology to work the tough material well enough. It was considered to be one of the strongest materials in the galaxy but it was to strong to be useable easily.
Later as Hadrian and the Magos spoke to a pair of Adepts Rael spoke to Neela, "I was asked by the Board when you planned on retiring to the Flotilla, Neela."
Neela shook her head, "I have no plans on it. I am staying as a part of Inquisitor Hadrian's retinue, I have secured the safety of my family and now I hope to save my people as well." At Rael's confused body language she sighed, "The Imperium came across us by accident due to the Batarian's stupidity, how long until another group comes across us? We wouldn't survive, they practice war at a scale far grander then even the Rachni Wars and the Krogan Rebellions combined. If we are to survive we must gain allies and the Imperium is our best bet to survive."
Rael just stood there as she walked over to Hadrian and he thought about everything she had said and worried about the truth of those facts. Later after they had returned to their ships Rael contacted the rest of the Admirals back with the Flotilla. "Rael, how goes the visit?" Shala asked him.
"Strangely well, I just watched an eighty-five meter tall War Titan rip through an army of Batarian vehicles taken from when they attacked Magnus Prime and Neela has no wish to return to the Flotilla, she is hoping for is to join under the Imperium," the Admirals looked surprised at this, "and I kind of agree with her. We have no future as we are, every year our ships fail more and more. We can't maintain them anymore and our people are sold as slaves or worse. Besides what happens when the other factions of the Imperial's space stumble upon us, Neela had a point, they will eventually and we will not survive without allies to back us up. Even the Council probably won't survive the war that would happen, once the Council learns of the Imperials they will try to control them and fail, that Titan I told you about has Adamantium plating armor a foot thick covering it!"
The Admirals were shocked at that, "What do you suggest then, Rael?"
Before he could answer Neela entered the room. "When did you get here?" Rael yelled. "Two minutes ago, I was asked to speak to the Admiralty Board, the High Lords of Terra will allow the Quarian Marines to become the PDF of Thonos and they will be armed with PDF gear including M35 M-Galaxy Lasguns and Flak Armor for the marines and Lucius Pattern Hot-Shot Lasguns and Carapace armor for the sergeants. They will also allow the Board to act as the governors of Thonos with the Tech-Priests in charge of the Manufactorums."
The Board nodded, it was a good deal for them, they would still be in charge of their people's safety. The deal was very appealing. "Neela, can you give us an hour to discuss this with the Conclave, also what would happen with the Flotilla?"
"The Adeptus Mechanicus will survey the fleet to see which ships can repaired to become Defense Monitors and which can be used for mining in Citadel Space. Those that can't will either become Fire Ships or be recycled."
An hour later the Conclave agreed and become a Client Race of the Imperium of Mankind. The Flotilla started the trip to Thonos. Once they arrived seven frigates were instructed to gather every Quarian that was on their Pilgrimage as a message was sent via a little known frequency letting them know to be ready.
Across Citadel space numerous Quarians gathered what ever personal items and supplies they could as they waited to be retrieved. The first world to receive a visit was Illium, the authorities wanted to tell them to go away but they paid the fees in full for an hour in dock to "refuel" but the moment it landed two squads of men swarmed out and held positions around the ship refusing any worker who came near as a group of Quarians headed out into the main city to buy out indentured work contracts holding several Quarians on Illium.
Most planets there was not many problems but a few had trouble from gangs trying to bully them for protection money only to meet assault rifles and in the case of Omega a Heavy Weapons team with a Heavy Stubber being deployed.
Citadel
On the Citadel Councilor Tevos was having a trying week. First the Hegemony was crying out for leniency on Dreadnoughts due to an attack on Magnus Prime and the STG were in a titter about something, Valern hadn't told them anything yet. An Asari aide walked in and handed her a com-pad and stepped to the side and waited for an answer.
Tevos looked at the report on single Quarian frigates appearing at planet or station with a Quarian population and taking them back to the dying Flotilla. As she was reading the list places already visited Sparatus barged in closely followed by Valern. Sparatus was yelling about the Quarians preparing for a war or some such nonsense.
"Sparatus calm yourself, I very much doubt they are going to war since they have nowhere to place the civilian population. Even if they where it would most likely be the Geth to try and reclaim their lost Home World," Valern told him as they walked into Tevos' office.
"Do you know anything about this Valern? The attack on Magnus Prime or the Quarian exodus back to the Flotilla?"
"I currently have no knowledge on the attack on Magnus Prime but across the galaxy a signal was sent three hours ago and Quarians immediately quit their jobs, which is surprising considering how hard it is for them to get them in the first place, and gathering anything they owned and went to the nearest space port and have been waiting, so far eight planets and stations have been cleared of Quarians including Omega and Illium. The list will keep growing until every single Quarian in the galaxy is back in the Flotilla, why I don't know but we can cross war off our list off possible ideas though, the lack off safe areas to hold the civilian population would stop them from casually waging war."
Then a knock came from the door. Calling for them to come in a Salarian intern who looked a little worried, "There is two Quarian frigates asking for permission to dock at to he Citadel, Councilors. What should we do?" Tevos nodded, "Let them land in docks next to each other and increase our C-Sec patrols there and keep an eye on their activity, OK?" The intern nodded and left to alert the traffic control center and C-Sec. "Sparatus, have Matriarch Lidyana prepare the defense fleet in case anything happens." Sparatus nodded and left the room.
Down in the docks the two frigates docked and immediately three eight man groups of Quarians and Guardsmen went to round up every Quarian on the Citadel for evac. The officers of C-Sec watched from a distance as groups of Quarians were escorted onto the center ship as any materials and possesions onto the left ship. The groups of Guardsmen were armed with Autoguns and Shotguns to keep Lasguns and Bolters out of Xeno hands as they were in the heart of enemy space. A Turian officer noticed that there non-Quarians in the groups and he alerted the Executor to that fact. Surprisingly Councillor Sparatus ordered them to detain the Quarians and the other species and to sieze the frigates. An officer ordered the aliens to drop their weapons and to put their hands on their heads, instead the aliens opened fire with assault rifles and shotguns as they motioned for the Quarians to get to the frigates. One group of three Guardsmen were bunkered down 20 feet from the closest frigate pinned by fire from twelve officers. One man was carrying a Vox-Caster and an assualt rifle while the other two just caried assualt rifles and some frags.
The two groups fired back and forth when a Heavy Stubber was rolled out and started to rain rounds upon the C-Sec officers. Outside the Citadel the defense fleet headed for the docks to stop the Quarian frigates from escaping. The trio was firing in short bursts to maintain a constant stream of shots, Sergeant Marcus Branson turned to Private First Class Hayden Gresn, "Private, we will cover you, get that Vox-Caster to the evac, NOW!" Hayden nodded shakily, knowing that these two men would die for him to get the priceless piece of technology back to Imperial hands, he knelt behind cover ready to run when they said the word. "Now," Marcus yelled as the two Guardsmen stood and poured their entire magazines at the C-Sec officers who dived behind cover as Hayden ran for the frigate as it was boarding the Heavy Stubber team under fire from two Guardsmen and a Commissar. "Guardsman, why did you abandon your squad, soldier?" Hayden gulped and said, "I was ordered to by Sergeant Marcus Branson to make sure to get this Vox-Caster back to the frigate, Commissar."
The Commissar nodded as he looked towards the two men firing short bursts as they waved for them to go. "Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten, get the ship out of here before the Xeno fleet fires upon us." The two frigates turned and over-clocked their thrusters to try and pass the defense fleet as the fleet was unable to fire yet due to the Citadel being behind them. The point defense lasers fired as a couple fighters tried to disable the engines but, due to years of modifications and armoring, the frigates hold against the fighters as they flee from the guns of the defense fleet ships.
The room rocked causing everyone to stumble as the Commissar ran to the bridge, "What in the name of Holy Terra was that!?" The Captain turned, "The Jaskir just blew, they rammed us to put themselves between us and the Destiny Ascension. The Ascension had us in it's sights and the Jaskir sacrificed itself."
The Commissar nodded, "Then don't let their sacrifice be in vain, get us the hell out of here, now!" A navigator called out, "one minute until we can jump, Sir." The Captain nodded sitting in the small command chair, he was numbed by the fact a hundred good men and women had died and the number would have been bigger if they hadn't removed the civilians on board to Thonos before leaving, he just hoped the number didn't get any bigger. After a close call they jumped using the Mass Relay to get out of there, not knowing that a Turian Dreadnought had fired right as they jumped with the round occupying the space they had been in just seconds before.
On the Citadel the fight was still raging in areas as the Imperials refused to allow themselves to be taken prisoner while the C-Sec forces used Biotics and Concussive Rounds to knock them unconscious. Hours later Marcus woke up with a splitting headache, the last thing he remembered was a large blue orb of energy, sort of like a Warp Blast, hitting the cover in front of him and throwing him into a wall. Looking around he saw about twelve Guardsmen and thirty Quarians in some kind of large cell. A male Human strode over to him carrying a flask of water for him, "Greetings, brother I am glad to see you among the living."
Marcus looked at him, "You speak very well for a Guardsman, what is your name friend?" The man's face flushed, "I am actually not a Guardsman, i am Missionary Bradley, I was on board to speak with the Quarians about their faith as I was curious and the Commissar thought I was Guardsman and pushed me into a group of soldiers and the Quarians." Marcus laughed at that as he slowly stood up, swaying slightly as he looked around. "Don't worry Bradley, I am sure we can keep you safe, for how long is the problem." Bradley shook his head, "The Inquisitor will come for us soon enough, he can not allow this to go unchallenged by the Xenos. Remember, The God-Emperor Protects the Virtuous."
Marcus nodded and checked on the men to see what kind of gear the Xenos left them, unfortunately not much. They had some metal that could be fashioned into shanks but other then food and water they had nothing of use. Bradley walked around giving encouragement and then called the Guardsmen together for a prayer to the Emperor, the Quarians looked on in curiosity as other then the Hanar, no really cared for religion anymore, of course they respected each other's religion but no one really practiced them.
Bradley stood before the gathered men and softly spoke the Imperial Hymn,
Love The Emperor
for He is the salvation of mankind
Obey His words
for He will lead you into the light of the future
Heed his wisdom
for He will protect you from evil
Whisper His Prayers with devotion,
for they will save your soul
Honor His servants,
for they speak in His voice
Tremble before His majesty,
for we all walk in His immortal shadow
The Quarians were in awe of the belief and reverence the Guardsmen held in their voices as they chanted the Hymn, the utter faith and devotion was amazing and inspiring. The C-Sec officers were disturbed of the fanatical devotion to some alien being. As Bradley preached to the Guardsmen the officers recorded it and sent the information to the Councilors. They were lucky to get a language called "Low Gothic" from a Quarian Omni-Tool.
In the Councillor's private conference room the Councilors were discussing what to do about the aliens, they couldn't get an Asari to Meld with them as the first and only attempt had one trying to shove a piece of metal into her throat, it was only due to her years of experience as a commando that saved her. Tevos was angry at Sparatus for his ill thought out plan, "why did you have C-Sec try and stop them, we could have had the fleet block their escape route and now we have forty dead or wounded officers!"
Valern came in looking worried, "I was sent a video file by the STG just now. It has our new guests in it, too." He played the video as he spoke, "The STG had heard rumors about a new species being on the Slave Markets and had sent a team to confirm or falsify the rumors. What they found is even worse. There were a new species but they didn't take the kidnapping of their people laying down, they attacked the auction house on Magnus Prime hard."
Tevos groaned remembering the Batarians demanding the allowance to build more Dreadnoughts because of an attack on Magnus Prime. "How badly did it go? I doubt they did well against the Batarians, since as far as we can tell they don't use Ezzo." Valern gave a humorless chuckle, "The invaders, Humans we believe they are called, ripped apart the defenders across the city using many highly powerful weapons and masses of soldiers. They even had laser weapons across their infantry and vehicles as well." As he said this he pulled a video of a large Imperial tank rumbled down the street with a dozen Guardsmen jogging beside it. Three squads of Batarians ambushed them and fired assault rifles until they over heated and a couple men fell but the cannon turned and fired a large explosive shell into a building bringing it down upon their heads as a sponson multi-laser turret fired a burst of ruby red lasers into the other building as Guardsmen fired their Lasguns into the buildings as well.
Tevos was stunned at the firepower as the Humans marched forward grimly stepping over three of their own as they pushed farther into the city. "We have reason to believe they use genetic enhancements as well." Valern pulled up the video of Saint Faith crashing down from the skylight in the auction building with her bright white wings and shining armor seen by all. Tevos couldn't help a small sense of envy and surprise at how similar she looked to an Asari, except the fur on her head and the color of her skin.
Then a video arrived from the C-Sec officers monitoring the Humans and Quarians in containment, after the video they just sat there for a moment shocked at the near zealous devotion they had to their "God-Emperor". Tevos sighed, "we need to figure out our plan from here."
Thonos
Inquisitor Hadrian was looking over reports on the survey on the status of the Flotilla from the Tech-Priests. Eighty percent of the Flotilla was okay to be used as Defense Monitors and the three Live-ships were scheduled to be re-purposed as mining vessels and thier defenses upgraded as well. The remaining ships were to be smelted down for resources to build more defenses on the planet as there were eight Planetary Defense Platforms being built with two finished already. The Quarians were being settled into prefabricated structures close to Manufactorum Titanicus. They seemed to be enjoying the extra space and the children could be seen running across the small town looking at awe at the ground and sky around them, most having never even been off the ship they were born on. The Quarian Marines were being trained by the soldiers of the White Scars Regiment and had taken the name Thonos PDF 1st Regiment "Xeno-Borne". Suddenly a man came into his office, "Lord Inquisitor, the ship from the Citadel came back."
Hadrian looked at him, "We sent two frigates to the Citadel, the Jaskir and the Novac. What happened?"
"Apperently a Xeno in charge ordered the detainment of the frigates and the men on board. They fought their way out but the Jaskir sacrificed itself to save the Novac from a enemy vessel as it was carrying the troops and civilians. Several of our men and Quarians are being held prisoner on the Citadel, Sir. What do we do?"
Hadrian stood and grabbed his Power Sword and Plasma Pistol. "We get them back soldier, prepare the Devine Will and have my retinue meet me on board. Also have the Marshal send three squads of Grenadiers for me. I intend to retrieve our people, by any means necessary."
Well things are heating up. Next chapter Hadrian meets the Council. Also in a chapter or two Thonos will be attacked by a Warhammer 40K faction, I will allow you to vote on who it will be. But it CAN'T be Chaos, I am not bringing them into this story. Nearly every Fanfiction has Chaos in it and I don't intend to follow that route. Now I will put a poll up tomorrow for the factions, please Read and Review and vote tomorrow.