Reviewers:
Silvanas: Tyranids and Necrons will fight, trust me. However, the Hive Mind will probably, when it realizes it can't hurt the Necrons much, give them all Rending Claws.
BGTom: Your welcome. Good theory, but I don't think a navy ship would have enough spacesuits for its entire crew. Also, the Imperium has been fighting boarding actions like mine for thousands of years.
Sean: Great ideas as always, my friend. I don't know if the Federation will go for the wiping out the Breen idea, but if anyone can make them see the Imperium's way, Madthayn and Picard can.
Heart of Lies: Thanks; I try to write good stories. It's one of my favorite hobbies.
Grayangle: I hope you like how I do this chapter. The super Orks will be in the story later, trust me. The idea's just too good to pass up. That was why I put the thought out of Klingon Space Marines. The hybrid ship is intended to be a symbol of unity between the Federation and the Imperium.
Shogun Lodge: Thanks, the Tyranids are one of me favorite 40k races, thought I just can't pick one as an absolute favorite. I know, the Klingon Space Marines were just a wild idea, but what do you think about the Imperium using the Federation's knowledge of genetic modification and Imperial augmentation to make super Klingons? Is that a little more believable?
Picard and Madthayn arrived at Starfleet Command an hour after entering orbit. Picard and the Lord Admiral had been pouring through Imperium records, trying to find material that could help them convince the Federation to remain a part of the Imperium. When they came down the ramp, they saw protestors outside the compound. They were waving signs saying things like "murderers go home!" and "Take your Bloodshed away!"
"I don't believe something like this has happened in a very long time," Picard remarked.
"Really? It is all too common on Imperial worlds, especially hive worlds. I hope we can find a way a appease them," Madthayn answered. They were escorted through the maze of halls and meeting rooms that made up Starfleet headquarters. Madthayn had chosen to leave his bodyguards behind this time. He wanted to present an image of peace and confidence. They finally reached the room where the hearing was to take place. Captain Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, and several senior admirals were already seated. Picard and Madthayn took their positions at a smaller table facing the gathering. Picard looked slightly nervous, while Madthayn was calm and collected. Compared to a navy trial, this one was nothing.
"This hearing will now come to order," Admiral Paris stated. "I will be acting as the judge for this hearing, along with Admirals Hawk and Senchev." Admiral Senchev was around Picard's age, with graying hair and a mustache. "Captain Janeway, you are granted the opening statement." Janeway stood up, a pad in her hand.
"Thanks you Admiral Paris. We are gathered here today to determine if the Imperium is ready to become an ally of the Federation. We call Lord Admiral Madthayn to the stand." Madthayn stepped up, took the oath and sat down
" When Voyager was first pulled into the other galaxy, we encountered almost nothing but violence and death. The Imperium of Mankind has, for nearly ten thousands years, ruled through oppression and fear."
"Objection," Madthayn's counsel said. Madthayn had brought a senior law keeper an officer of the Adeptus Arbites with him.
"Do you have evidence to support this?" Admiral Paris asked.
"I do." She tapped several commands and the screen on the wall showed the image of a planet studded with hive cities. Flames engulfed many of them. Suddenly unbearably bright light flashed from pints along the planet's surface. From those points massive firestorms began spreading across the planet's surface. Within a few minutes then entire surface was charred. "This is a recording from ten years ago. Lord Admiral, can you identify this?"
"Yes, is the planet Malrex seven on the day Exterminatus was performed." He replied
"Clarify for the court, what is Exterminatus?"
"It is the act of eliminating all life on a planet and rendering it uninhabitable." There were several gasps from the court.
"Tell me Lord Admiral, how many people were on that world when it was destroyed?" Madthayn consulted a data slate.
"Approximately two hundred sixteen billion." There were more gasps, and Admiral Hawk looked ready to erupt.
"And you just casually consigned them to death!" Janeway asked.
"Captain! You have no idea the reason for that act! Exterminatus is only ever used as an absolute last resort! When a planet is so far gone nothing can be done that would be worth the casualties."
"So, just how little are two hundred billion lives worth in the Imperium?"
"Many of the people on that planet were not human captain. I invite you to observe. Admiral Picard, if you would."
Picard tapped commands into a small holo projector and an image of a Genestealer sprang up.
"This is a Genestealer," Picard explained. "They are a Tyranid strain, but they also serve a much more sinister function."
"They infiltrate a planet and impregnate normal humans with implants that slowly take over their bodies," Madthayn stated. "Over time, as children are born, a cult begins to form. Picard, show them stage three." An image of a human with a bald head, sharp teeth and slightly discolored skin appeared. "This is stage four, where Genestealers are virtually indistinguishable from normal humans. By this stage they have usually infiltrated a planet's defense forces and together with the main cult they begin a revolution. It is around this time that a Tyranid hive fleet arrives. You see, Genestealer cults are led by a creature know as a Patriarch, the original Genestealer who began the cult. The larger the cult, the stronger the signal to the hive fleets are. The Meldrax uprising attracted a hive fleet to large to defeat, so Exterminatus was performed."
"Why didn't you wait until the Tyranids passed on?"
"Because there would have been nothing left. You see Captain, Tyranids seek only to devour bio-mass. When they were through, that planet would have been only a ball of rock, bereft of even microscopic life."
"It looks to me like you did the same thing."
"Perhaps, but we denied the Tyranids a massive amount of material they would have used to increase their numbers and attack other worlds."
"Very well, let's move on. Tell me Lord Admiral, what is the death rate aboard a typical navy vessel?" Janeway asked.
"It depends on the size and state of a vessel. However, it runs around a dozen to fifty a day."
"That's barbaric!" Admiral Hawk yelled.
"Please Admiral, calm yourself," Madthayn said. "Most of the crew aboard a navy vessel are press ganged scum, barely even worthy to serve the Imperium."
"What is press ganging?" Janeway asked.
"On many worlds there are criminals, troublemakers and the homeless and worthless. They are rounded up and forced into service in the lowest ranks of a ships' crew."
"You're talking about slavery!"
"Yes, I suppose I am, but understand captain. These people would either commit crimes or die, so they instead are chosen to serve their lives in the Emperor's navy. What better use could they be put too?"
"They could be rehabilitated," Janeway responded.
"Captain, do you even know how many people inhabit the Imperium. Countless billions. Far too many for us to help them all. The Arbites maintain order, and it is they who frequently perform the press ganging."
"If that is the case, then you may step down, and we call Arbitrator Sergeant Cordel to the stand." The Senior Arbiter took his place on the stand.
"Please state for the court your full name and rank." Janeway ordered.
"Arbiter Sergeant Michell Cordel."
"And what is your duty?"
"To maintain the Emperor's laws wherever I am sent."
"How far do Arbitrators go to maintain the law?" Janeway asked.
"As far as it takes," Cordel answered.
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
"Yes, many. All of them heretics and criminals."
"Do you ever just arrest them?"
"Oh yes, most of the time, I only kill them when they draw weapons or I have been ordered too. There are many people captain who would like nothing better than too take everything for themselves and don't care how they achieve this." Janeway turned to address the court.
"All this sums up to one thing: the Imperium is a barbaric society with little conscience and concerned only with holding onto its own power. I'm finished."
"Lord Admiral Madthayn, you may now present your case," Admiral Paris said. The Lord Admiral got to his feet and walked in front of the assembled judges.
"Honored judges, Captain Janeway. I realize what you have seen so far points to an empire that is barbaric and corrupt, but I ask you this: what would the Federation be like were it in our place? Please, remain calm," he said when Admiral Hawk stood up.
"Allow me to explain to you why the Imperium is the way it is and the side captain Janeway left out. You see, unlike the Federation, the Imperium had had to defend itself from many foes, all of which would take the Federation apart very quickly. The Tyranids, who devour everything in their way and are more numerous than the stars themselves. The Eldar, who wield technology and psychic powers far in advance of anyone, with the exception of the Necrons, soulless metallic warriors who can always return to the field unless their virtually invisible tombs are found and destroyed. In fact, one of their C'tan star gods was decently awaken on the planet Kitomer. Also there are the Orks, who we fought and bested at Kitomer, and who are the most numerous race in our home galaxy besides humans. Do you honestly think the Federation, as it is could defeat any one of these foes?"
"We wouldn't go to war with them, we would make peace with them," Janeway responded. Madthayn stifled a laugh.
"You couldn't. The Eldar might make the treaty, but they wouldn't abide by it. The others wouldn't even give you a chance to make your peace offerings. Orks care only for war, and Tyranids do not even think as we understand the term. They are like a colony of insects, except the queen is every creature and at the same time is none. Any one of these races would crush the Federation. That is why the Imperium is so warlike and cruel. Because it is the only way we can survive. For ten thousand years the Imperium has stood against foes that would destroy everything and make the galaxy a place of only death and destruction. Now that the Emperor has returned, we can finally destroy our enemies and make both our galaxies a place of peace and paradise. Look at what we can achieve together." The holo projection showed a revolving image of the new Enterprise.
"I give you the Enterprise-F. The first hybrid vessel constructed by our two empires. Twelve kilometers long, capable of Transwarp and true warp velocities. Hull comprised of duranium and Adamantium alloys, combined regenerative deflector/void shield technology. An arsenal comprised of over fifty Imperial heavy weapons including two Nova Cannons, and over five hundred Federation weapons. Carrying over four hundred strike craft and crewed by thirty thousand Imperial and Starfleet crew. This is what we can achieve together. With the Enterprise as its flagship, no enemy can stand against us."
"So, you think the only way to peace is through destruction and death?" Janeway asked.
"If you had lived in my galaxy captain, you would think as I do. If the Federation had known ten thousands years of war, do you think it would be as it is today? I admit the Imperium is much different from the Federation, but both desire peace. If we were as barbaric as you say we are captain, then why didn't we simply destroy you and the Klingons along with every other race in your galaxy? It certainly isn't beyond our capabilities." There was a long silence. "Because the Imperium isn't what you think it is. We want peace but have never been able to achieve it. With the union of our two galaxies we could at last defeat the forces of darkness and create a peace across two galaxies. Will you help us?"
"Is that all?" Asked Admiral Paris.
"Yes Admiral. So, do you believe that the Imperium wants the same things the Federation dos?"
"We will deliberate and contact you with our verdict," Admiral Hawk said and ushered Madthayn out of the room. Picard went with him.
"So, do you think we did well in there?" Madthayn asked.
"I think you presented your case very well Lord Admiral. From what I have seen now and aboard your vessel, I agree with what you said. With the combined might of our two galaxies we may finally be able to bring peace to both."
For the next four hours they waited. They discussed Imperial politics, lifestyles, Federation policy and other things. Finally the door to the courtroom opened and they were ushered inside.
"We have gone through the information both sides have presented, and we have reached the decision that Lord Admiral Madthayn is right. The Imperium desires peace just as the Federation does, but have been through ten thousand years of war and suffering that have hardened them and has resulted in an empire quite unlike the Federation. However, we believe that if we work together we can bring peace to both our galaxies. This court is adjourned!"
Madthayn approached Janeway a few minutes later.
"Captain Janeway, may I have a word with you?" She nodded. "I hope you can understand that the casualties your crew suffered at the hands of the Inquisition were part of the old Imperium. The Emperor is even now reforming the Inquisition to make events like that a thing of the past."
"I can't forgive the Imperium for what it did to me and my crew. However, I understand why it happened. I hope our two organizations can learn to work together for peace. I will serve the alliance, and I hope peace is soon a reality." With that Janeway walked away.
"As do I Captain, as do I."
Back in the other galaxy, the rebuilt Imperium fleet was preparing for the second Great Crusade. With the Emperor leading it, the Imperium of mankind would conquer the galaxy, starting with the nearby Ork empire of The Arch Maniac of Culverna, the closest Ork empire to Terra, and one of the oldest. Tales from there spoke of Ork Boyz as large a Nobs, and of weapons more advanced than any previously seen. The Imperium would cast down the Orks and prove to the entire galaxy that the Imperium was back in the game, and it intended to win.
How was that? Did I do good on the trial? Tell me if I can add or change something and I'll do it. In the next chapter Picard will lead a fleet against the Tyranids, and The Dragon will be watching, waiting for his chance to claim the souls and power he needs to defeat the Nightbringer. Watch a great three way battle next chapter. Review and stay tuned for Battle Joined! See ya then!
ENTILZA