Chapter 41: Third Galaxy

Reviewers:

Liljimmyurine: You're right, but they probably did use them. Remember they killed twenty marines and eighty tech-guard. Sorry about the spelling. I'll reveal the contents of the Emperor's fleet in the next 40k chapter.

Oblivionknight7: Yes they did. The twins are so powerful they probably can stop their ageing like the Emperor can.

BGTom: Thanks for the info. They might cause damage, if they can get through the clouds of photon torpedoes the Imperium ships use as point defense.

Grayangle: Maybe, but they'll give the Alliance a lot of useful tech, especially the gfg, which will likely let Imperial vessels maneuver like Andromeda. They were drained. That's why the Emperor set the twins on his bed. He's probably going to be sitting down when he talks with Silvanas. I give up, where do those names come from?

Darth: That was about the Emperor recruiting the two most powerful psykers in the galaxy to his side. The Apex Twins are what I just described.

The BEE: 1) I know that.

2) Hmm.

3) I see.

Lennox: Thanks, you're right it might be fun. Earth will be a very big shock.

The Andromeda Ascendant shook as another volley from the Magog hit.

"Magog swarm ships are approaching," Andromeda reported.

"Rhade, fire everything we've got," Dylan Hunt ordered. The Nietzschean obeyed and dozens of the swarm ships were blown apart, but there were too many.

"Andromeda, activate internal defenses."

"Harper, status of the slipstream drive?" Dylan asked. The Andromeda had come to this system because they had believed it contained the wreck of a High Guard battleship. Instead there was nothing but Magog waiting for them. Three satellite ships and clouds of Magog swarm ships.

"Gettin there Boss. Give me five minutes," the Andromeda's resident fix-it man replied. The ship shuddered as another volley impacted.

"We don't have five minutes," Dylan replied.

"Swarm ships have attached to the hull," Andromeda said. "Internal defenses activating."

Dylan knew he was likely not going to make it out. The Magog were too numerous. Already they were fighting their way through the ship, looking for crew members.

"I'm open to ideas," Dylan said, which was a bad sign.

"We don't have any negative energy bombs, so we can't hurt the satellite ship. The swarm ships are to numerous to destroy. I don't see any way out of this," Rhade said.

"Thanks for the pep talk," Beka replied. "We might be able to avoid the swarm ships if he head into the outer layer of the sun."

"I've suffered too many hull breaches to protect the interior if the ship from the stellar radiation," Andromeda reported.

"Well then, I guess we'll just have to fight our way out," Dylan said, grabbing his force lance. Rhade smiled as he grabbed his gauss guns.

"Wait," Andromeda called. "I'm picking up something."

"Define something."

"It's some sort of wormhole."

"Can we get into it?" Dylan asked.

"I believe so. Wait, something is emerging."

The Emperor Class battleship Righteous Fury was the first ship through the wormhole. Fleet Admiral Mark Hampton saw the massive fleet attacking one lone vessel. He had to choose sides quickly.

"Seer Tallis, what do you sense?"

"The ship under attack is apparently the lone survivor of an Empire known as the Systems Commonwealth which fell over three hundred years ago. The attacking ships are from a race known as the Magog, a race not unlike the Tyranids. They lay eggs in hosts to breed. They also ravaged Terra many years ago."

The mention of Terra being ravaged by an enemy, no matter what universe it was in, filled the entire crew with a terrible fury.

"Launch all fighters. Have them destroy the ships that are attached to the Commonwealth vessel's hull and then the fighters around them. When the rest of the fleet comes through have them launch fighters as well. Lock all batteries on those moon ships," he ordered. The rest of the Admiral's fleet consisted on another Emperor battleship, three heavy cruisers and ten destroyers.

"Dylan, a ship twelve kilometers long has just come through the wormhole," Andromeda reported. "They are deploying fighters and their carrier is locking onto the satellite ship."

Dylan watched as fighters skimmed along the surface of his ship and destroyed the swarm ships sticking from her hull. The massive ship opened up on one of the Magog satellite ships, causing several large explosions. Then fourteen more ships came through the wormhole. They launched fighters as well, and together they annialated the Magog fighters. Their capital ships poured volley after volley of fire into the satellite ships until they broke apart.

There was silence on the bridge. They had just seen three Magog satellite ships and thousands of swarm ship wipe out by a force less than a tenth their size.

"With the swarm ships destroyed, my internal defenses have handled the rest of the Magog. Captain, I'm receiving a hail from one of the unknown ships," Andromeda reported.

"Put it through," Dylan replied. The screen fizzled for a moment, and then settled into the image of a man wearing a uniform Dylan had never seen before. His hair was brown with hints of gray and his eyes spoke of a man who had seen more action than anyone.

"Captain Hunt?" The man asked.

"Yes, who are you?"

"I am Fleet Admiral Mark Hampton of the Imperial advance fleet. We came through the wormhole and saw you were under attack. You appear to have suffered damage. Would you care to come aboard my vessel while we assist you with repairs?"

Dylan didn't trust this man yet, but then again, he had just saved them from almost certain destruction.

"All right," Dylan said. He wanted to know where those ships had come from, and more importantly, what side they were on.

A few minutes later Dylan, Harper and Rommie stood in a cavernous launch bay. The Maru had entered one of the ships' many strike craft bays and found a place large enough to land. When the small party came down the ramp, they were met by the site of hundreds of men snapping to attention. Three officers came up to greet them. Dylan recognized the Admiral. With him were a man who looked like he could lift a slip fighter and a man covered in a gray cloak.

"Captain Hunt," Admiral Hampton greeted. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce ship's commissioner Drake and Chief Seer Tallis."

"Nice to meet you," Dylan said. "This is Seamus Harper my chief engineer and ship's avatar Rommie."

"Well, shall we?" Hampton asked, indicating a doorway. "Fighters will be returning soon and it will get rather noisy."

"Well just tell your flyboys to stay away from my ship," Beka warned.

"Beka, be civil," Dylan mumbled to her.

"It's all right. I've already given orders that your ship isn't to be touched."

Harper was looking around at the vast hanger bay and the fighters and supplies scattered around.

"Man, just think of what I could put together with this stuff," he whispered. Dylan physically dragged him through the door. After many long corridors and a few lift rides the group arrived at a meeting hall. Everyone took a seat.

"So, I believe the first question is yours Captain Hunt," the admiral stated.

"All right. My first question is where do you come from?"

"Good question Captain. Our force comes from another galaxy. We have come here seeking races who would wish to join us."

"I see," Dylan replied. This empire was starting to sound like the Commonwealth.

"I believe it's my turn now. In the battle your ship was much more maneuverable than its' size would suggest. Why is that?" Admiral Hampton asked. Dylan debated what he should say.

"We have a device called a GFG which reduces the mass of our ship."

"Impressive. Perhaps later we can begin a technology exchange, but for now back to you Captain."

"Ok, if you really are from another galaxy how come you know my name and about the Commonwealth?" Dylan asked.

"That would be thanks so Seer Tallis. You see, we sometimes have to choose a side quickly, like we did with you. In those situations our Seers scan the minds of the people near us to determine which side to support."

"Telepathy?"

"Yes, and much more." Admiral Hampton answered. "Now, Captain Hunt. I would like to ask you if you would be willing to join with us."

"It looks possible, but I'd like to know what you're planning on doing now that you're here."

"Well I believe the first thing to do is liberate Earth." Harper's head shot up.

"Really?" He asked.

"Of course. To us Terra is sacred, no matter what universe it's it."

"That could be a problem," Dylan said. "Earth is currently occupied by the Nietzscheans. They're a very strong race."

"That may be, but we will not stop until the homeworld of humanity is safe. Will you join us?" Harper's hand went up.

"Sold!" He said. Dylan gave him a look. "What? These guys are gonna kick the Nietzscheans butts off Earth once and for all."

"He is correct captain. Our empire will defend humanity from any threat, no matter how tough they are. My engineers tell me your ships hull will be repaired in an hour. If you would give us access to your weapons, we could make all the ammunition you need. In return we are prepared to give you access to our shielding technology." Seer Tallis had told him this Captain Hunt and his crew could be trusted.

"All right, after the battle for Earth," Hunt replied.

"Fair enough. Our Transwarp Hub should be online in seven hours. Then we can leave for Earth."

Seven hours later, a single transwarp portal was completed. The Andromeda had given the Imperial fleet the location of Earth. One by one the ships entered the transwarp aperture. In just a few minutes the Imperium fleet would show these Nietzscheans that no one messed with the human race and got away with it.

How was that? Sorry there was no action. The next chapter will be filled with it. Will Dylan trust the Imperials? Will Harper go on an inventing spree? Will Andromeda get a new ship self? Stay tuned for Battle For Earth, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA