Chapter Nine: Balance of Power
Reviewers:
Liljimmyurine: First of all, Emily knew her mother was dead. She saw her die. Also she knew Halloway was bringing her bad news. She saw it in his eyes. She is very intelligent. I'm glad you liked the rest.
Silvanas: A muffin huh? Emily is a main character but the entire story won't revolve around her.
The Sithspawn: Thanks. I guess I just write fast. It comes from practice. I hope oyu like it when it finally happens.
The White Dwarf: I'm glad you like it. You're right. The flag Lieutenant would probably handle that, if not someone lower.
Oblivionknight7: Oh, I see. If those technologies do come into play it'll probably be after the Emperor gets revived.
m6l99: Thanks. Your tank sounds like a good idea. I doubt the Borg will find a way into the Imperium. At least not until the wormhole is reopened, but your fighter idea will be perfect for another of my stories. Thanks for the idea. For the Imperium!
BGTom: That is one of the main ways the Imperium does business. Your plan is very impressive. Thanks for it. But what did you mean by secure all borders?
Lennox RH: Thanks. You're right, people in the Imperium, even children, are used to death. I'm glad you liked the Inquisitor part. They're trying to keep as much secrecy as possible so that if one of them gets caught the others can still carry on. I'll try to add some details later. Thanks for the info on the Dark Eldar. Long live the Imperium!
Barbarossa Rotbart: Thanks. Emily is important. The Emperor will NEVER become Borg! It's simply not possible.
Grayangle: First, Emily wanted to go with Halloway, and Halloway probably knew that Emily would not be very safe on her world. In the movie First Contact Lily asks Picard how many planets are in the Federation and he replies "over one hundred and fifty." Thanks for the tip. Trust me, it won't be easy. But if some Inquisitors can hide being servants of Chaos then Amberley's group at least has a chance. They DO have a Lord Inquisitor on their side. They should at least be able to talk with the allies they need. From there it's going to be a combination of luck and faith.
When the Valiant and the other ships arrived back at Magnos Omicron they found it a hive of activity. Dozens of capital warships were surrounding the planet or were docked at its orbital yards. Even as they moved in system five more vessels arrived, led by the huge Emperor class battleship Merciless Judgment. As they passed the Federation ships Halloway was completely astounded by the sheer size of the Imperium vessels.
"Captain, we are receiving a hail from the Glory of Mars," T'vol reported.
"On screen," Halloway replied. "Magi, what is happening?'
"I have received word from the planet that several Necron raids have taken place in this sector within the last several weeks. We fear that they may strike one of the systems surrounding Magnos Omicron or even the Forge world itself. Sector Command has assigned this fleet to seek out and engage the Necrons. I have been summoned to a command briefing aboard the Merciless Judgment. I would like for you and your chief engineer to join me."
"Very well Magi, we'll beam to your vessel in ten minutes. Commander T'vol, you have the bridge."
Precisely ten minutes later Halloway and Chief Engineer Ryan Grent materialized in the main launch bay of the Glory of Mars. It was a massive place, housing dozens of strike craft and other vessels. Grime and spilled chemicals had stained the floor. Powerful lights shone down from the ceiling. Both were nearly deafened from the clamor of activity going on around them. Fighters being refueled, repairs being conducted, and the other hundred myrid tasks that were a part of any warships' life. A moment later Halloway spotted Magos Dren and several of his attendant acolytes crossing the floor of the bay towards him.
"Welcome aboard the Glory of Mars Captain Halloway," Dren shouted over the incredible noise of the hanger bay. "Our transport in this way," he said, motioning the two Starfleet officers to a shuttle readying for take off. The interior of the shuttle was mostly bare metal, the seats being the only things covered with padding. With a deep rattling the shuttle lifted off the launch deck and dropped into a launch chute. Halloway and Engineer Ryan both nearly lost their stomachs at the top. The ship was then launched out of the cruiser and angled towards the intimidating bulk of the Merciless. The closer the shuttle got the more in awe Halloway became. Up close the battleship seemed to be a mass of guns and strike craft bays. Huge gun barrels, some with muzzles that could swallow the shuttle whole passed by Halloway's eyes.
The shuttle finally entered one of the Merciless's landing bays. When the ramp lowered the group found an honor guard of ships armsmen waiting for them. One of the group, a man with the rank insignia of a Flag Lieutenant, came up and bowed.
"Magos Dren, I am Flag Lieutenant Westen. Welcome aboard the Merciless Judgment," he said.
"Thank you. Please escort us to your Captain," the Magos replied. The armsmen falling into step behind them, the Flag Lieutenant led the party down immense corridors and into a large elevator. Several minute later they arrived at the command deck, a massive open space filled with hundreds of duty stations, many manned men who appeared to be mostly machine. The Lieutenant walked over to a man wearing a very elaborate uniform. After a brief discussion the Lieutenant occupied the captain's station and the man he had been talking to walked over to the landing party. He was an impressive man. Just over two meters in height, with short black hair with a hint of gray. His eyes were blue and reflected a life of battle. He carried a sword and a pistol in hip holsters.
"Welcome aboard Magi Dren, Captain Halloway. I am Admiral Dentris. Who is this?' He asked, indicating Grant.
"This is my chief engineer Ryan Grant," Halloway replied. "I thought he might be useful during our meeting."
"Very well, come with me," Admiral Dentris said. He led then from the bridge and into a large briefing room. Several other men were already present. "Captain, Magos, allow me to preset Captain Sallis of the Relentless and Commodore Brenti of the Emperor's Will. If you would all please take your seats."
Once everyone was seated the Admiral activated the hololith build into the table. It displayed a map on the surrounding sector. Three systems were highlighted in red.
"The systems you see in red have recently suffered attacks by Necron forces. So far the planets they have attacked have been stripped of all human life. Only one vessel has managed to escape their attacks, the Cobra escort Light of Derse. It reported the fleet that attacked it was comprised of at least six capital warships and fifteen escorts. The fleet includes at least two Cairn Class Tomb ships." Halloway noticed a bit of color drain from the Admiral's face.
"What is a Tomb ship?" He asked.
"The largest and most powerful class of Necron starship yet encountered. Allow me to show you. Magi Dren." Dren reached into his robes and pulled out a data crystal. He inserted it into the hololith and it projected an image of a vessel in the shape of a giant crescent with a pyramid at the rear that towered above the rest of the ship. Even though it was just a hologram a faint sense of dread seemed to emanate from the ship.
"This vessel was one of three sighted during an attack on the colony of Merida. The cruiser Farsight and five of its six escorts were destroyed. The surviving escort brought back this battle footage." The men in the room watched as the Farsight and its escorts engaged a single Necron scout when they entered the system. It retreated and they pursued. Just when they entered weapons range a Tomb ship powered up. Its first shot of arc lightning obliterated three Sword class vessels. Then two more Tomb ships began to close. All Imperial fire just seemed to dissipate when it struck. The Farsight positioned itself between its now fleeing escorts and the oncoming Necrons. Just before the video cut out the men witnessed the Farsight transfixed by arc lightning and torn apart.
"My god," Halloway breathed. He had personally seen the strength of Imperial vessels, but those Necron ships seemed to not even care about their weapons, while their own batteries could destroy three ships with a single blast.
"Since that attack we have fought numerous engagements with Necron fleets. The only times we have been victorious is when he have held a heavy numeretical advantage. When the odds are equal the Necrons have never been defeated. Their technology is far beyond anything we have ever seen, and every year their harvest fleets grow greater in size. If these fleets are allowed to continue their activities there is no telling what could happen. That is why this battle fleet has been assembled. We will proceed to the next likely system to suffer a Necron attack and bring them to battle. Captain Halloway, your vessels have displayed a remarkable ability to penetrate stealth technology. As of now we are still weeks away from a working version for our own vessels. That is why I ask that your fleet accompany us and attempt to provide firing solutions for our ships. You will not engage the enemy directly. We will provide as much cover as we can."
Halloway didn't know what to think. When he had first arrived in this galaxy he had thought that perhaps it was a peaceful place. Now he was learning that there was only war. First the Dark Eldar and now these Necrons. The Necrons seemed to be far stronger than anything he had ever seen. On the other hand if he refused he would probably simply be forced. Also, if he did go, there was a chance that he could provide the edge the Imperium fleet needed to win, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
"Very well, my ships will assist you," Halloway said at last.
"Excellent. I will provide each of you here with a list of known Necron attack formations and data on each class of ship they possess," Dren said. "Engineer Grant, you and several tech priests from the fleet and forge world will analyze the data we have on Necron vessels and see if any of the technology we have recently gained can be of use to us against the Necrons. If there is nothing else Admiral, I will leave you to plan the battle." The Admiral nodded. As the party made their way back to the shuttle, Halloway's mind kept going back to the footage he'd seen. If the Necrons were so powerful what chance did he stand? He only hoped that together the Imperium ships and his own could find a path to victory.
Meanwhile, back on board the Valiant, Emily was lying on Halloway's bed with a splitting headache. It had started when she'd watched the Merciless Judgment's come out of Warp space. She'd been to sickbay but they had found nothing wrong with her, so she was just waiting for it to pass. Her head felt like it was about to burst. Suddenly the pain exploded in her head and she screamed. At that moment she felt something shoot out of her and the table in the main room suddenly shattered. The pain was gone. Emily looked up and saw the table.
"Dad is going to be so man at me," she said.
How was that? This chapter was mainly designed as an information chapter. In the next chapter the Imperium and the Necron fleets will clash. Will the Federation be able to help the righteous Imperial navy defeat the Necron threat, or will the ancient and terrible Necrons be victorious yet again? Emily will also play a part in the next chapter. What is happening to her? Will she be all right? Stay tuned and find out. Well, see ya in the next chapter, and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA