Chapter 26: Beginnings of Greatness
Reviewers: Thanks again for all you help. You're all great.
Silvanas: That's all right. Are you threatening me? No matter, that will happen in this chapter.
gta5ccjs: You're right. The Covenant would never join the Imperium. If I do go into the Halo universe, I know you'll give me all the info I need.
Liljimmyurine: Oh. Sorry I didn't know. Perhaps, but now that the Imperium has replicator technology they can produce a lot more ships a lot faster. I probably should explain some things better. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll put you in the story soon, though I may have to tweak your name a bit.
BGTom: Either that or make them all attack at once. Courage and Honor!
Joseph Rosario: Thanks. They may be more advanced, but every race has a weakness. The Dragon will probably adapt so don't worry about torpedoes. Tuvok is already recovered, so sorry, you're too late. If the Necrons do go they will go out with a bang.
Oblivionknight7: Well if you hate them prey that the Inquisition finds them. You're probably right about them not joining. The Imperium might not kill them all, but how would you feel about the survivors being made into penal legions?
grayangle: I'm planning a Section 31 Black op for the next chapter.
SPECIALGUY: Picard will make up his mind soon. Yes, but one Farseer does not speak for the entire Eldar race.
Talks with the Cardassian and Romulan empires had not been going well. The Cardassians said that they would be no part of any empire that included the Klingons. The Romulans had not even responded to any of the alliance's hails. With the Tyranids having withdrawn for the time being, and the Necrons seemingly having vanished, the attention of the alliance had turned to the enemies at home. The Romulans and Cardassians, along with the Gorn and the Tholians, both races that lived on the outer edge of Federation space. The Gorn were massive reptilian creatures with immense physical strength and deadly close combat capabilities. They had never expressed any interest in joining the Federation. Now they seemed to be preparing to attack the systems nearest them to expand their territory.
The Tholians were no surprise. They had never expressed any interest whatsoever in even leaving their space except then they were attacked. They were nearly a complete mystery.
Both of them, along with the Romulans and Cardassians, had been brought to the alliance council as possible threats.
The alliance council consisted of six embers. Three from the Imperium, though they only counted as a single vote in debates, one form the Federation, one from the Andorian Federation and one from the Klingon Empire. Several psykers were also present. Two defended meetings from any form of observation. The third was an astropath who relayed incoming top secret messages. Recently the alliance had been using Midas arrays to instantly relay messages.
"This meeting of the alliance council will not come to order," spoke Ambassador Moridel, one of the Imperium delegates. "What is the first order of business?"
"The situation with the Cardassians!" Spoke Ambassador Klang, the Klingon representative. "They and the Romulans are the largest threats to us!"
"I agree," spoke Imperial ambassador Delron. "The Cardassians and the Romulans have the largest empires ad therefore are the largest threat to the security of the alliance." Klang actually smiled.
"I have something to bring to the table," Imperial delegate Mathwell declared. He glanced at the psykers to make sure the room was secure. "Section 31," he said quietly. "They have yet to make a move against us. We know they believe themselves the Federation's protectors, yet they have done nothing to stop the Imperium."
"We must not forget that the Romulans and Cardassians each have a secret order of their own," Federation ambassador Paris said. "The Obsidian Order of the Cardassians and the Tal'Shiar of the Romulans."
"Those problems may soon be rectified," Mathwell declared. "The Imperium is currently sending several Inquisitors through the wormhole. They will go into deep cover, identify and then eliminate any threats they find."
The room became very quite for a long moment. They all knew of the Inquisition. The shadow organization of the Imperium, whose power was second only to that of the Emperor himself.
"Is that necessary?" Paris asked. "The Inquisition is a powerful organization not that much different from the Tal'Shiar or the Obsidian Order."
"In that regard you are wrong. Everyone knows that the Inquisition exists, and the Inquisition also has the unconditional loyalty of every citizen of the Imperium. They are our best counter measure, especially against Section 31. Unlike the Romulan or Cardassian organizations, they have to visible links to their Empire. An Inquisitor is used to pursuing invisible enemies."
"If that is the only way," Paris breathed.
"Back to the matter at hand," Klang said. "Who do we move against first? The entire Klingon defense force stands ready."
"As does the Andorian fleet," proclaimed Ambassador Shran. Shran was a descendent of the Shran who had assisted the original Enterprise. Both the Andorians and Klingons had adapted easily to the Imperial way of life.
"I feel we should give them more time to consider joining us," Paris voted.
"They have already demonstrated that they have no interest in diplomacy. They did not with the Federation and they show the same attitude with the alliance," Delron declared. "I vote we move against the Romulans first. They have cloaking capability and therefore are a greater threat."
"The Andorians agree," Shran voted. "The Romulans should be the alliance's first target."
Admiral Paris was distressed. The Federation had always stood for peace and unity through cooperation. The Imperium lived for war and conquest. Still, without the Imperium the entire galaxy might have been devoured by the Tyranids.
"The Federation stands with you as well," Paris said reluctantly.
"Then it is decided," Shran said. "The Romulan Star Empire will fall before the alliance!"
"Plans for the campaign will be formulated by the end of the week," Maxwell said. "For now, let us adjourn."
"Very well, this meeting is adjourned," Admiral Paris declared, banging his gavel to signify the end of the meeting.
While the council was concentrating on the Alpha Quadrant, the Dragon was preparing to make his return to his home galaxy. He only needed one more infusion of soul energy and he could activate his dimensional gateway. He also had identified the perfect target. The Tyranids, still reeling from their latest defeat, had sent a force of three hundred hive ships to attack a corner of the galaxy that was free of life but rich in bio mass. A perfect target for the dragon's fleet. He currently possessed one hundred fifty ships, having retrieved many from their hiding places in this galaxy. He also had the entire army he had brought here with his as well. He was nearly ready to return and exact his vengeance.
The Tyranid hive fleet was gathered around three planets in an uninhabited system. There were no life forms here to absorb, but there was abundant animal and plant life. One planet had already been consumed and dozens of new vessels added to the fleet. Once this system was consumed, the fleet would split and consume more systems without defenders. Suddenly a hundred and fifty ships simply came into being. There was no sign of a warp exit. As the bio ships prepared to engage the enemy opened fire. Arc Lightning sliced through armor and flesh. The Dragon's death head flagship fired its star pulse cannons, burrowing completely through enemy vessels. Return fire plashed off Necron energy fields, and any that did get through caused too little damage to matter. The Tyranid command ships concentrated their fire on the Dragon's ship. Bid mistake. The Dragon's vessel was virtually indestructible. His ship's gun batteries obliterated enemy ships with a single shot, and all throughout the battle panels on the Necron vessels glowed a menacing green as they absorbed the life force of every Tyranid organism killed. When the last bio ship was destroyed, the Dragon's energy reserves were at last at full capacity. He channeled the energy through a focusing array and opened a dimensional gateway and slowly, the Dragon and his army marched back to their home system to bring death to the god of death, the Nightbringer. Two gods would clash, and a final victor would be decided. All in time.
How was that? Did you like the battle Silvanas? Sorry if it was short, but I promise the C'tan battle will be off the charts. Also, the first shots will be fired against the Romulans. And don't forget Section 31. Their plan will be revealed. All this and more in the next chapter. See ya then and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA