Chapter 8: A Flame Rekindled
Five weeks had passed since the Voyager crew had arrived on Terra. In that time AQ (Alpha Quadrant) technology had been added to all the ships of the invasion fleet, which now consisted of over two hundred thousand ships. Some had been brought in from other Segmuntums, the rest had been built. Also, for the first time in centuries, the Fabricator General had left Mars and come to Terra. No one knew why he had come. All they knew was that a massive amount of energy was building in the lower levels of the Imperial Palace.
"Lord Admiral Madthayn, the Dark Angels and Grey Knights contingents have arrived," an aide reported. The invasion of Borg space was to be spearheaded by the Space Marines. Companies from over a hundred chapters had been mobilized, as well as forces from the Sisters of Battle and forces from both the Ordo Xenos and the Ordo Hereticus.
"Very good," The Lord Admiral replied. He was a strongly built man, with thick brown hair and a mustache. His eyes were a calculating blue. He carried a scar down one check from a battle at the start of his career. He had been selected to lead the invasion of Borg space because he knew how to fight things like them. Decades ago he had used cleverness and boldness to destroy a Necron Tomb ship with a single heavy cruiser. He had picked away at it until it fallowed him into an asteroid field he had mined. The explosions had weakened it enough that a shot from his ship's Nova Cannon had been able to pierce its reactor and destroy the ship. From what he had read about the Borg, they were little different.
"How long do you think before we get the order to move sir?" His second, Fleet Commander Droven asked.
"I don't know. They must be waiting for the final piece of the fleet to arrive," he replied.
"Also sir, how will we navigate in this new galaxy without the Astronomican?"
"When we enter Borg space, we will take control of what is known as a Transwarp Hub. It will give us the ability to travel anywhere in that galaxy within minutes." His aid was speechless.
"Sir, we are receiving a transmission from Terra," his comm. officer reported.
"On main screen," the Lord Admiral replied. The screen flickered to life and the face of one of the High Lords appeared.
"Lord Admiral, you and your senior commanders will come to the Imperial Palace at once."
"Yes my Lord," re replied, and the transmission ended. The Lord Admiral was confused, but one did not disobey a direct order from a High Lord.
An hour later he was on the surface with three of his top commanders. The Fabricator General and the High Lords were all gathered in the Emperor's old throne room, from where he had coordinated the defense of the Palace during the Horus Heresy. The Fabricator General stepped forward.
"Everyone here knows how the Emperor gave his mortal life to destroy the arch traitor Horus. For ten thousand years he was dwelt within the Golden Throne, projecting the Astronomican and guiding the Imperium. Now, with the knowledge gained from the captured starship and its crew, we have been able to restore the heart of the Imperium to this plane! Behold, the Emperor of Mankind reborn!" He called as a set of massive double golden doors opened. A blinding light shot from within. When it died, there, standing before them in full armor, looking exactly as he had ten thousand years ago, stood the Immortal Emperor of Mankind. Everyone in the room immediately went to their knees. The Emperor, the very heart of the Imperium was standing in front of them. It was a miracle!
"Rise my loyal subjects," the rich, powerful voice of the Emperor ordered. The men obeyed. "After ten thousand years I have been reborn to again lead mankind to its rightful dominion over the stars. With domination of this new galaxy we will have the resources necessary to destroy anyone who would dare attempt to thwart our divine destiny! High Lords, you will continue to maintain the Imperium in my absence. Fleet Commanders, return to your ships. I will join you shortly. I will personally lead the crusade against the Borg. Against my power and your fleets, we will emerge victorious! FOR THE IMPERIUM!"
"FOR THE IMPERIUM!" They echoed before turning and returning to their ships in orbit.
Word spread quickly through the entire system of the Emperor's return. Everyone now believed completely in their victory. A week ago the Tech Priests researching the wormhole had discovered it could be moved from one place to another with a carefully calibrated Graviton Beam. They had used it to relocate the wormhole to the Terra star system. The fleet was ready to enter it the second the Emperor gave the word.
"Sir, I'm detecting massive energy signature emanating from beneath the Imperial Palace," one the Lord Admiral's officers. "Putting it the main screen." The screen showed a massive section of the Palace splitting. From the rift rose a massive ship, shining like pure gold and silver. It was at least ten times the size of a battle barge and it radiated power. An image of the Emperor appeared on the screens of every ship in the fleet.
"Warriors of the Imperium, you now gaze upon the vessel that was to bye my flagship before the Horus Heresy erupted. It was intended to break the backs of every enemy that reared its head. Now it will pave the way to victory with the blood of our enemies! All forces, move out. We go to battle and to victory!"
The battle fleets began making their way into the wormhole, with the Emperor's flagship, the Guiding Light, leading the way. A few minutes later they fleet emerged on the other side. The Emperor immediately began broadcasting the Astronomican. Back in their home galaxy, the Emperor's greatest inventions, the great psychic engines focused and projected another Astronomican. It was a bit dimmer, but just as bright to the eyes of the Navigators.
At the point of entry into Borg space, construction was already beginning on defensive structures and supply stations. As soon as the last ships were through, the second Great Crusade would begin.
A Borg vessel passing through that sector of space detected the wormhole and the tens of thousands of ships emerging from in. The information was relayed to the Queen, who dispatched a scout fleet to evaluate this new enemy's combat abilities. The Borg would assimilate this new enemy and add its distinctiveness to the collective's. Resistance was, of course, futile.
What do you think? Thanks to Silvanas and liljimmyurine for your help with this chapter. I hope you like this and what comes next. In the meantime everyone, leave reviews and I might add your ideas to the story too. Until then se ya!
"ENTILZA