Chapter Three "First Experiment"
The former Ark Fleet, now reassigned to the fledgling Imperial Navy, Rapid class Corvette, the Spirit of Earth hung in the skies above Terra. The smallest warp-capable warship of the disbanded Ark Fleets, its four hundred meter long from bow to stern, two hundred meters wide from port to starboard and eighty meters tall, form had its weapons stir to life.
On the bridge, newly made Imperial Navy Lieutenant-Commander Polli Defars stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her eyes fixed on the holographic display of Terra's surface far below.
"Sensor scan complete, Commander," reported one of the sensor officers. "We've identified the primary base of the target. Scans indicate significant defensive fortifications and a sizable garrison."
Polli nodded, her eyes never leaving the display. She scrutinized the constantly updating holo-display. The target base's "significant defenses" was an understatement of how much of a challenge it would be to take without the aid of powerful weapons or warships that could destroy entire continents. Days of intense bombardment via artillery and air strikes would have been needed to soften up the defenses for any attacking force to have any real chance of capturing or clearing out the base, and that was still with significant losses.
"Tell the marines to gear up for a planetary assault once we're done bombarding the surface," Polli ordered.
"Aye, aye, Commander," responded one of the communications officers before relaying Polli's orders.
The hatches covering the weapons batteries making up the Spirit of Earth's guns opened up to reveal their deadly packages. Three weapon systems made up the bulk of Spirit of Earth's weapons: railguns, lasers, and plasma. Individual guns started aiming at their assigned targets and began firing in their weaker state, ranging in the kiloton to megaton range of firepower instead of the gigatons of TNT destructive power they normally operated at, as their target was to disable defenses and not destroy the base.
Streaks of metal, red flashes of laser, and bright blue of plasma rained down from space.
~ O ~
In the troop compartment reserved for the battalion-strength Marine contingent assigned to the Spirit of Earth, Marines prepared their equipment and vehicles for their upcoming mission.
Sergeant Caspian ran the diagnostic programs of his power armor and volkite rifle. His trusty armor and rifle that had served him a century hadn't once failed him given the amount of care he had put into maintaining and repairing it, but it never hurt to check.
Around him, his fellow Marines did the same, their movements precise and honed by decades of endless training and warfare.
When Caspian noticed that he wasn't the only one finished with the last checks of his gear, he walked up to a very special area of the troop compartment.
"Steel your hearts and ready your weapons," Caspian intoned, his voice a deep rumble over the squad radio. "For today, we shall serve as the first wave to bring Terra back from this age of barbarism. Today, we shall remind the techno-barbarians of the glory they have forgotten. We are the bringers of enlightenment. The ushers of a lost era. Let none forget the forgotten splendor of humanity."
None of his squad had time to respond. There was a bright yellow flash, and Caspian alongside his squad disappeared.
~ O ~
On the bridge of the Spirit of Earth, Polli Defars watched from the holo-display as her warship's formidable weapon batteries turned defenses that would have taken days of constant artillery bombardment and air strikes to achieve. She had to hand it to the Terran warlord. They might have been techno-barbarians by the standards of the disbanded Ark Fleets, but they knew how to build their defenses to resist even a limited orbital bombardment.
For the next few minutes, lasers and plasma, alongside the more specialized munitions used by the railguns, took out anti-air weapon emplacements and purely military targets. While Polli wanted nothing more than to eliminate those standing in the way of humanity's unity, her orders were clear from the former Ark Overseer, now Princess Tanya.
The Terran warlord and his forces were to be eliminated with as little damage to the infrastructure as possible that could be later used by the growing Imperium.
The Spirit of Earth's weapon batteries started to fire less as more of the warlord's fortress's defenses fell. It soon reached the point that most of the weapon batteries stopped firing, save for the occasional railgun firing specialized munitions such as EMP rounds that took out specific targets without doing any further damage to the base.
"Deploy our fighters," Polli ordered, monitoring the constant stream of data entering the holo-display and her brain implants. "Instruct them to target only the defenses. Princess Tanya wants the infrastructure preserved as much as possible."
"Aye, aye, Commander," one of the communication officers replied.
Armored doors that were easily two meters thick of adamantium opened to reveal a hangar filled with Stormhawk fighters, Stormeagle gunships capable of transporting an entire platoon of power-armored humans, and the larger Stormbird capable of transporting an entire company. Plasma engines spewed out superheated gas to lift the spacecraft up and into the void outside. The Stormhawks escorted their marine-filled Stormeagles and Stormbirds to the Terran warlord stronghold below of the Spirit of Earth.
~ O ~
As the bright flash disappeared, Sergeant Caspian scanned for threats with his Volkite rifle. The rest of his squad followed his example, fanning out with practiced precision.
"Area secure!" One of the marines announced, and several more made similar comments as they investigated the surrounding area for any hidden threats.
Caspian approached the small drop pod that would normally have been designed for a single marine. This version had been modified to a teleporter beacon that had allowed the Spirit of Earth's teleportation bay to facilitate the teleportation that had brought them here.
Standard protocol would have called for the use of a datalink cable to facilitate the best protection against any interception of the encrypted data, but Caspian doubted that Terra had any AIs or advanced equipment capable of picking up or decrypting technology from the Golden Age. And if somehow such advanced technology had survived on Terra, it wouldn't be used on him. He was just a lowly sergeant.
"This is Sergeant Caspian. We have arrived at our location and the landing zone is clear," Caspian reported into the teleporter beacon that also acted as communication relay. "Uploading latest information regarding the still standing defenses and defenders."
Caspian was not one bit fazed by the chaos happening around him. The bombardment still continued. Plasma and laser rained down, shells with specialized munition slammed into ferrocrete bunkers and gun emplacements, throwing up geysers of pulverized rockcrete and twisted metal.
"Good work, Sergeant Caspian," replied Lieutenant-Commander Polli. "Precision airstrikes and dropships are on their way. ETA two minutes. You will work with the other squads to help secure the landing zone."
"Understood, Commander. Caspian out."
As the communication ended, Caspin turned to the smoke and the flames raising all around him. He could see the stronghold walls ahead, battered but still standing. The warlord's troops were already responding the chatter of bullets, laser and plasma filling the air as the techno-barbarians prepared to fight against the teleported marines or the roaring Stormhawks delivering precision airstrikes.
"With me, marines!" Caspian roared over the din. "For Unity!"
And with that, the marines charged, guns blazing, into the teeth of the enemy's defenses.
~ O ~
Sergeant Caspian crouched behind the ruined wall, his Volkite rifle gripped tightly in his gauntleted hands. Around him, the sounds of battle raged - the crack of gunfire, the roar of explosions, the screams of the dying. The acrid stench of smoke and blood hung heavy in the air.
He had to hand it to the techno-barbarian resisting the Unification of Terra under the Imperium. Caspian had spent a century in service as a marine in the now disbanded Ark Fleets and the newly formed Imperial Navy, but the techno-barbarian's stubbornness and refusal to accept defeat reminded him of the Orks. Thankfully, the techno-barbarians didn't possess the sheer numbers of the Orks, or the battle would have been a much more difficult affair.
Caspian risked a glance over the wall, the battered plasteel barely providing any meaningful cover against the unrelenting barrage. Several primitive projectiles the size of grenades, or "bolters" as he had come to know, likely would have heavily damaged his helmet if it wasn't for the flaring light that turned the bolter rounds into harmless metal fragments.
The sergeant was thankful for how he was equipped with an energy shield. The bolts could have killed him if his helmet had failed to protect him, as the repeated fighting had damaged the helmet so that it wasn't as sturdy as it used to be.
For a moment, Caspian wanted to curse at Princess Tanya's decision to not simply allow warships in orbit to blast the stronghold to smithereens. While he could rationally understand the reason to capture as much infrastructure intact as possible to allow the growing Imperium to get the means to produce its own equipment and vehicles, there was no reason to spare the techno-barbarians.
"Caspian, you're going to offend our superiors again!" chuckled Corporal Solu, his second-in command and righthand woman. "You would have been made into a Lieutenant long ago if your disrespect of Tanya wasn't widely known."
"Look, I've got a lot of respect for Tanya, but let's be real - some of her decisions are just downright stupid! I mean, there are times when it seems like she thinks certain things matter more than actual human lives!" Caspian shouted as he popped out of cover after his energy shield had recovered and sent a burst of superheated plasma at a crew manning a Rapier.
The techno-barbarian crew of the Rapier were unluck. Their armor stood no chance against a dangerous weapon like the Volkite rifle, which had been designed to take out targets clad in power armor. Their bodies were reduced to explosion of blood and gore.
"Get used to it, Caspian!" Solu replied as she fired her preferred rifle-shaped railgun that shot out AP-HE (Armor Piercing High Explosive) rounds. "The days when human lives were the most precious resource are gone. The Ark Fleets have disbanded; the knowledge, technology, and culture we've guarded for so long are secure. Now, our duty is to restore humanity's lost glory, even if it means making human sacrifices beyond our wildest nightmares."
"There's a difference between sacrificing human lives for no reason and sacrificing 'em for a cause that matters!"
"Serg! Corp! Quit your lover's quarrel while we're fighting to stay alive!" Private Leroy Jerkins shouted over the squad radio. Similar jabs soon flooded the comms, making Caspian and Solu flush with embarrassment as they silently vowed revenge on their subordinates after the battle.
~ O ~
I stood beside my father, watching the tactical holo-display with a critical eye as the Spirit of Earth and its complement of marines launched their assault on the Terran warlord's stronghold. The sleek corvette hung in low orbit, its weapon batteries raining down precise strikes to disable key defenses.
"The Rapid-class corvettes will be the backbone of the new Imperial Navy," I remarked, studying the ship's profile. "It is the smallest Warp-capable warship, yet it possesses an excellent blend of firepower, armor, and agility."
"Isn't this design..." Father frowned. "Based on the Terra-class Battleships I designed all those years ago?"
"Yes, it is Father," I nodded, "but no one has called them by that name since the 3rd millennium." My Father only chuckled in response. "With its capacity to carry a battalion of marines, as its name suggests, it will be able to respond to just about every situation that requires a warship or boots on the ground."
"A warship and doctrine that needs further testing," Father countered, his brow furrowing as he studied the hololithic display.
"Father, the Rapid-class corvette has proven its worth for thousands of years while I oversaw Ark's Contingency-" I began, ready to lay out the case for the nimble escort ships.
"Did you wage war beyond the occasional takeover of a planet or star system?" He interrupted, fixing me with an intense stare. "I am planning a galaxy-spanning military campaign the likes of which the galaxy hasn't seen since the Cybernetic Revolt. The Rapid corvette is suitable for patrols and escorts, but it lacks the firepower, durability, and endurance required for the planned Great Crusade. Cruisers will form the backbone of the Imperial Navy."
I took a breath, marshaling my arguments. "While I do not deny that cruisers being the backbone of the Imperial Navy has its merits, especially your proposed Strike Cruiser concept, you also have to think of the long term. Cruisers require significantly more resources, time, and infrastructure to produce and maintain. A typical cruiser takes a year to produce, while with the same resources, ten escorts could be produced in four months."
Father waved a dismissive hand. "Numbers alone will not carry us to victory against the myriad threats lurking among the stars. We need ships with the resilience to endure protracted campaigns far from supply lines or repair yards."
"The Rapids may be smaller, but their modular design allows for self-sufficiency," I pressed on. "They can be refitted and resupplied from just about any facility. And their speed and maneuverability make them ideal for scouting and hit-and-run tactics."
"Tactics suited for your guerilla campaigns of old," Father scoffed. "The Great Crusade demands overwhelming force. Our fleets must be able to smash through any opposition, not flit about like gnats."
I opened my mouth, then closed it, recognizing the stubborn set of his jaw. My father's vision of warfare was shaped by the apocalyptic conflicts of ages past. Trying to dissuade him from his hunger for brute strength would be a futile endeavor.
Perhaps a compromise... "Very well," I said carefully. "Let us deploy cruiser squadrons to spearhead our offensives, backed by corvette flotillas for scouting, pursuit, and occupation duties. A balanced approach, combining overwhelming force with strategic flexibility."
Father considered this for a moment, then gave a curt nod of assent. "A compromise, for now. But do not think this discussion is over, daughter. The shape of our fleets must evolve as new threats emerge."
"Of course, Father," I replied, hiding a small smile. "I would expect nothing less."
~ O ~
The Adeptus Custodes stood as silent sentinels around the Emperor and Tanya, their golden armor gleaming in the light of the hololithic display. They watched impassively as the two debated the merits of different warship classes, a discussion that would shape the very future of the Imperium's military might.
It was a rare sight, seeing the Master of Mankind engage in such a lengthy and detailed discourse. The Custodes knew well the Emperor's usual demeanor - stern, unyielding, a force of nature that brooked no dissent. They had seen countless officials and warlords quail under the weight of his gaze, their arguments withering in the face of his indomitable will.
Yet with Tanya, it was different. The Emperor listened patiently as she made her case for the Rapid-class corvettes, countering her points with the wisdom born of millennia of warfare. There was a subtle shift in his bearing, a softening around the edges that the Custodes had only ever witnessed in the presence of two other individuals: Malcador the Sigillite and Constantin Valdor, the Captain-General of the Custodes.
Those two alone could match the Emperor's intellect and will, daring to question and debate where all others would merely acquiesce. It was a privilege born of centuries of trust and shared purpose, a bond forged in the crucible of the Unification Wars. And now, it seemed, Tanya was being granted that same rare honor.
The Custodes marveled at the intelligence, cunning, and wit Tanya displayed as she sparred verbally with the Emperor. Her arguments were incisive, backed by a wealth of strategic insight and an uncanny grasp of both the big picture and the smallest details. She anticipated the Emperor's counterpoints, weaving a tapestry of logic that left even the Master of Mankind pausing to consider.
It was a testament to Tanya's brilliance that she could engage the Emperor in such spirited debate, challenging his assumptions without ever crossing the line into disrespect. The Custodes had seen the Emperor's mind at work countless times, but to witness it met and matched by another was a revelation.
They began to understand, then, the true significance of Tanya's presence at the Emperor's side. She was not merely a daughter or an advisor, but a catalyst for change, a force that could push the Imperium in new and unexpected directions. Her unconventional thinking and fresh perspectives would be a vital counterpoint to the Emperor's timeless wisdom, ensuring that the Imperium remained adaptable in the face of an ever-shifting galaxy.
In Tanya, the Custodes saw a figure who could stand alongside the Emperor as an equal, not in raw power, but in the depth and breadth of her intellect. She was a once-in-a-generation mind, a prodigy whose talents would be instrumental in shaping the future of humanity.
As the Emperor and Tanya delved ever deeper into the intricacies of warship design and military doctrine, the Custodes felt a growing sense of awe and anticipation. They were witnessing history in the making, the forging of a partnership that would echo through the ages. The Emperor and his brilliant daughter, working hand in hand to guide the Imperium to its ultimate destiny.
And the Adeptus Custodes would be there, as always, to bear witness and to serve. For they knew that with the Emperor's wisdom and Tanya's genius, there was no limit to what the Imperium might achieve.
~ O ~
"We shall discuss the Imperial Navy matter at a later time," my Father replied, gesturing to the holo-display. The display had switched from analyzing the performance of the Spirit of Earth, a Rapid-class Corvette, to assessing the marines assaulting the Terran warlord's stronghold.
On the display, I watched Sergeant Caspian and his squad teleport into the chaos, volkite rifles blazing as they secured a landing zone for Stormeagles disgorging more marines to join the operation. Stormhawks screamed overhead to provide close air support or air strikes to take out defense guns that the Spirit of Earth had been unable to destroy without risking friendly fire or damaging infrastructure that I had ordered to be captured as mission objectives.
"Are you certain the resources and time invested in developing infantry-level energy shields are worth it? Power armor alone should be more than sufficient for the Unification of Terra and much of the Great Crusade."
"Father, the energy shields are a necessary investment for the long-term success of the Imperium," I explained patiently. "While power armor alone may suffice for the Unification of Terra and the early stages of the Great Crusade, we must think ahead to the challenges that await us among the stars."
I gestured to the holo-display, where marines with shimmering energy shields weathered a small burst of small arms fire that would have caused minor to severe damage to the armor that would have needed to be repaired or replaced if the energy shields hadn't been there to take the damage.
"These shields offer an extra layer of defense, enabling our warriors to withstand attacks that would pierce even the best power armor. This means fewer casualties, swifter conquest, and more efficient use of our military assets and resources.
"Moreover," I went on, "the energy shield is not merely a single investment. As we continue to recover more scientific and technological knowledge from the worlds we subjugate, we will surely find ways to enhance and perfect these shields. Each new version will make our warriors more resilient and adaptable to the countless dangers that prowl the galaxy."
I met my father's gaze, my eyes alight with conviction. "In the long run, the resources we pour into energy shield development will pay dividends in the form of a stronger, more invincible fighting force. It is an investment not just in our current campaigns, but in the future of the Imperium itself."
"You make some good points, but I want hard facts. Give me statistics and hard evidence, and I mean a mountain of it that proves irrefutably. Just because you are my precious daughter doesn't mean I will not hold you to the same lofty standards I expect from all Imperial officials." Father declared firmly. His eyes turned to the holo-display that had changed with a command of His thought. "I find your marines to be lacking in heavy firepower..."
I pinched my nose. Father might be the greatest in many fields - a brilliant military tactician and strategist - but one thing about him had never changed. He was a stern believer in firepower and, and even more firepower. Some of the largest and most unnecessary human military inventions and doctrines had their origins in Father's machinations, like those ridiculous eight-kilometer-plus BATTLESHIPS with enough firepower to annihilate entire planets, tens of meters of thick adamantium armor, and Titans that towered over even the tallest Hive World buildings.
"Father-"
"Tanya," He interrupted in a very strong and displeased tone. "Nothing beats firepower and size." Father spoke in a such a serious tone that anyone else might have really believed it. "Don't even think about refuting me, young lady!"
I sighed inwardly, bracing myself for another round of my father's signature "bigger is better" philosophy. I knew from experience that arguing against his deeply ingrained beliefs about overwhelming firepower and massive scale would be an uphill battle.
"Father, I understand your preference for sheer destructive power," I began, my tone measured and diplomatic. "But more firepower and larger equipment, vehicles and warships cost resources and time that are better-"
The Adeptus Custodes, ever-present yet unseen, stood as silent sentinels around the Emperor and me. Their golden armor gleamed in the light of the holo-display, a testament to their unwavering dedication and martial prowess.
Yet as my Father's words rang out, extolling the virtues of overwhelming firepower and massive scale, something unprecedented occurred. The Custodes, known for their stoic demeanor and unshakable discipline, began to stir.
It started with a barely audible snort, a sound so faint that I thought I might have imagined it. But then another followed, and another, until the room was filled with a chorus of muffled amusement.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I watched the Custodes, my father's own praetorian guard, struggling to maintain their composure. Some shifted their weight from foot to foot, their armor creaking with the movement. Others coughed, a suspiciously timed sound that did little to disguise their mirth.
And then, in a moment that would be forever etched in my memory, one of the Custodes spoke. His voice was deep and resonant, filled with a barely contained humor. "The Emperor speaks true," he rumbled. "In matters of war, there is no substitute for raw power and sheer scale."
"See, Tanya! Some of the most skilled and experienced warriors to ever live agree with me!" Father boomed happily. The Custodes voiced their comments as well, supporting their liege.
"Men," I rolled my eyes and sighed as I made yet another list of changes for the Imperium. I needed to instill the idea that efficiency was king, not just raw firepower and size. The future arsenal of Imperium vehicles and warships had to emphasize practical applications instead of the "bigger is better" mentality that Father and the Custodes seemed to have. I hoped the rest of the fledgling Imperium hadn't been infected with this line of thinking too, or I'd be facing a never-ending battle...
Well RIP, Tanya! Cause she is going to face a nightmare if anyone knowledgable about the Great Crusade-era Imperium equipment, vehicles and warships :) Anyone else agree that firepower, firepower and size is king or that efficiency and using resources most effectively is right?
What do you guys think about what you read? Is it good, bad or meh? Any recommendations to improve? Please let me know.
Thank you for reading!