Chapter 15: Realities Collide
On Earth, Picard had just finished giving a briefing of the Imperium using the data Q had given him. Suddenly an officer ran into the room.
"Sirs, you have to see this," he said as he activated the wall screen. It showed a massive green portal opening.
"What is that?" Admiral Paris asked.
"It's a Transwarp Aperture," Picard responded. "But how is that possible? Q showed me the Borg being destroyed."
The aperture flared and gradually a ship emerged, but it was not Borg. Fully ten kilometers long, the Harbringer of Vengeance exited the Transwarp portal and began moving toward Earth.
"What the hell is that?" Admiral Hawk asked.
"It looks like one of the ships Q showed me from the attack on the Unicomplex," Picard answered.
"Sir, they're hailing us," the officer said.
"On screen," Admiral Paris ordered. The face of Lord Admiral Madthayn appeared. He regarded the assembled Admirals carefully.
"Greetings in the name of the Imperium. I am Lord Admiral Madthayn, commander of the Imperium forces in this galaxy, and I have come to begin talks with the Federation. I am requesting permission to com to the surface." Admiral Hawk switched the audio off.
"Can we trust this man?"
"I think we should hear him out," Picard said. "He's come here with only one ship and he appears to understand the Federation wants peaceful relations with other species." Hawk switched the audio back on.
"Your request has been granted. We are sending landing coordinates."
"I will be there in one hour," the Lord Admiral replied, then cut the link. His second came up to him.
"Are you sure this is wise Lord Admiral. We cannot trust these people yet.
"I have read about the Federation and they always prefer peace to war. If I give them enough incentives, they should realize they have no choice but to join us. Ready my shuttle," he ordered. Twenty of his ships' best arms men accompanied his. Even he was not expecting trouble; he had not gotten into his second century by being foolish.
On the surface, the assembled Admirals and Picard watched the Lord Admiral's shuttle descend. It was far larger than a Starfleet shuttle, and bulky landing thrusters spat out black exhaust. Once on the ground the arms men filed out, bolt guns shouldered, fallowed by the Lord Admiral, his chest heavy with campaign medals and awards. He knew it never hurt to have your opponent respect you, no matter what the game. Admiral Paris extended his hand and Madthayn took it.
"In the name of the United Federation of Planets I bid you welcome Lord Admiral," Admiral Paris said.
"Thank you Admiral, I am pleased we could meet under pleasant circumstances. So, shall we talk here or someplace more comfortable?"
"Of course, fallow me," Paris said. Five of the arms men went with the Lord Admiral, the rest stayed with the shuttle. They soon reached the conference room. "So Lord Admiral, what brings you to Earth?"
"First, you may call me Madthayn if you wish. Second, I have come here to offer the Federation the honor of joining the Imperium. It is the Emperor's wish that all humans live together in peace." He chose his words carefully to hive the Admirals the impression that he cared what they thought, and he did care.
"So, Madthayn," Admiral Hawk began. "What assurances do we have that you won't do to us the same thing you did to the Borg?" He asked.
"Well firstly, if I had come here to destroy you, this place would already be a smoking crater. My ship is one of the most powerful in the Imperial fleet. Also, I wish to establish peaceful relations with your empire. It is the Emperor's wish that we all become one people. You have my word that all Federation citizens will be treated well. However if you require a gesture of good faith, please observe my shuttle." From the landing ramp emerged the crew of Voyager. They looked a bit gaunt but otherwise fine.
"The Voyager crew," whispered Paris as he caught site of his son.
"They are actually the reason I am here. They somehow opened a wormhole between our two galaxies. They suffered some hardships at the hands of the Inquisition, but no I return them to you as a gesture of good will."
"I'd like to talk to them" Paris said.
"Of course. In the meantime I would like to invite you all to my vessel for dinner."
"Very well," Admiral Hark said. "We accept."
"Then please follow me to my shuttle."
As soon as the shuttle had landed, servitors came forward and began refueling it. A thousand troops snapped to attention as they came down the ramp. The Starfleet people were impressed. They were lead through kilometers of corridors until they reached the officer's dining hall. Places were already set, and the Admirals and Picard took the places that had their names. Soon the first course was served. Admiral Hawk seemed fond of the amasec. Soon the conversation tuned back to the Federation joining the Imperium.
"What will be different?" Admiral Hawk asked
"Each planet will elect a Governor to rule over it. In time you maw be required to provide troops for the Imperial Guard. You will also be protected from outside threats by the Imperial Navy. Your own ships will be rebuilt with Imperial technology, and you will enjoy all the benefits of Imperial culture." Hawk was about to reply when an aide burst into the dining hall.
"Lord Admiral, Lord Admiral!" He shouted
"Calm down lad! Now what's so important?" He aide handed him a data pad. As the Lord Admiral read it his smile faded and his eyes widened a bit.
"Is something wrong Lord Admiral," Picard asked.
"I have not yet told you about the enemies the Imperium has faced. It would appear one of our most deadly foes has come to this galaxy. The Tyranids," he breathed.
"What are the Tyranids?" Picard asked.
"They are a race of insects that first invaded our galaxy two centuries ago. They seek only to devour the bio-mass of people and planets. They come in vast hive fleets, consuming all in their path. With your technology we have been able to begin fighting them off in our home galaxy, but it seems another grand hive fleet has come to this galaxy. I must leave at once. My fleet will be required at the front. I ask you, will you help us in saving this galaxy? Allow us to help you by fortifying your worlds against the Tyranid menace. They have been known to appear mysteriously tens of thousands of light years away from each other."
"We will bring this matter to the entire Federation Council." Hawk said.
"I thank you. When you have decided sent your reply to these coordinates," he said as he handed Hawk a pad.
A few hours later the Lord Admirals ship entered the warp. A few day later the Federation reached its' decision. They would join with the Imperium. They sent their reply and a day later Imperium ships began appearing and constructing defense stations and fleet bases. New ships from the other galaxy began coming through to combat the Tyranids. It was never easy to defeat them, but the Imperium would not allow another galaxy to be devoured.
Many light years away, in an asteroid field, a rouge moon drifted. Long ago the planet it had orbited had been destroyed. Now, sensing the Imperium rift forming, and the coming of the Tyranids, a great and terrible power awoke. Sickly green light filled massive caverns. Tens of thousands of skeletal figures began moving. A massive tomb slowly opened, and from within emerged a massive figure swathed in faded red robes. Two blood red eyes stared weakly from within them. One hand clutched a massive sword, the other hand was empty. After sixty million years, the C'tan known as the Dragon was back. It had fled its home galaxy after a defeat of its armies by the Nightbringer. It had vowed to become strong again, return, and destroy the Nightbringer. But first, the Red Harvest had to begin.
How was that? In the next chapter the Emperor will enact the final stage of his plan to destroy the Chaos Gods. Stay tuned for Final Assault! Until then leave reviews and see if your ideas get into the story. See ya later!
ENTILZA