Imperial Center
Nova Terra
Imperial Senate
19,923 IY/25,709 CE
"They've been bickering over this for nine hours," mused a woman of striking features. Lounging in a high backed, yet perfectly angled in recline, plush chair. The space around her one of many, though hers was larger by at least triple those to the right, left, and below. It looked like a box in a symphonic theatre except squarely placed to look out over an utterly cavernous expanse. The space was a giant oval shaped space approximately two-hundred and ten thousand square meters in size. Discounting the hallways leading to each of the boxes which sat representatives of the various Great Houses, Semi-Autonomous States, and the Orders Ecumenic. Their positions noted by banner and name displayed on their box.
Her voice carried much disdain, if not boredom, for the proceedings as various members of the Imperial Senate, convened in a general assembly, bickered over the formal taxation of commerce along the Polarian Way. A corridor of high volume FTL inter-stellar traffic stretching from Polaris all the way to the Witch Stars. Remaining one of the few extensively charted routes to reach that far and millions of commercial vessels plied this metaphysical space lane every Nova Terran year.
"The Galaxy West Trade Association won't budge unless a 1.5% tax is levied, they're depending on the Sagittarian Banking House Corporation and have several Great Houses pulling in votes by those who have stake in the matter," mused a Synthetic seated next to the woman. The artificial, but human looking robot, blinked as it addressed it's master. Though its voice was much more pleasant and upbeat than the annoyed sultry voice of the former.
Beside them a pair of gilt figures stood. Only the Praetorians were sanctioned to bear arms in the Imperial Senate and bear them they did. Their halberds, combination of a powerful projectile weapon and an energized gravity blade made out of an ancient material so far unable to be replicated by Imperial metallurgists outside of the Praetorians, gleamed in the artificial lighting. Their polished armor of golden and silver electrum coloration swam in the light. Their tall crested helmets bore crimson red plumes of smooth fibers and their helmet masks adorned in the shape of an Eagle. Thunderbolts adorned their armour as they kept silent vigilance. There were of course others of their number. Outside of the box stood two more Praetorians. While six more in total patrolled the Senate hallways, galleries, and sub-levels.
Outside, a detachment of the Imperial Guard, in polished silver battle-plate and bearing markings to identify them as Senate Guards watched and patrolled the perimeter. Controlling access to the building and maintaining a constant vigil on neighboring building structures. If one were to look there would be more than humans watching. Robots in the form of drones and automated battle machines scanned crowds and vehicles cruising on streets and air transit lanes.
Indeed, outside of the relative order and quietness of the Senate grand assembly there was the ceaseless bustle of the Galactic capital. Nova Terra. The capital of the greatest empire in the Milky Way Galaxy. For it is said that you could find anything upon Nova Terra if you knew where to look. Xenos of a myriad sort, creatures from far flung worlds in the zoos, art and artifacts from over a million worlds. Architecture and languages from one end of the Galaxy to the other dotted the planets surface. From its seething sub-continental spanning ghettos all the way to the gleaming pristine towers of the Over-City. Rising many thousands of levels from deep in the crust of Nova Terra were thermal heat sinks delivered crucial power generation for the teeming masses above. All the way to cloud piercing towers holding luxury officers and residences. Even beyond, as orbital elevators and dockyards pierced out to the Exosphere of the planet. Allowing bulk haulers, private yachts, commercial freighters, passenger liners, and the mighty warships of the Imperial Navy to dock.
Commerce never ceased on Nova Terra. The planet never slept, and the planet was one big city after all, the likes of which not seen anywhere else. As such one could only guess its population. Though Imperial Bureaucrats estimate it to be around two and a half trillion sentients at any given time.
The Synthetic spoke up again, abruptly snapping its master back to reality, "They're adjourning for the moment, Crown Princess."
The Crown Princess, Valeria, blinked her brilliant blue eyes as she stood quickly. The Praetorians gracefully following in step behind her as the ones outside the box remained at their posts. Already various representatives poured from their boxes or engaged in the endlessly complex, and ongoing, game of politics. Valeria walked past them all as she made for a major gallery. The Praetorians in step behind her. People in front of her path parting with respective bows or curtsies.
Flashback
Centauri Oversector
Omega Centauri Star Cluster
Chassid System (Binary System)
The Chassid System had been colonized in the 13th Millennium of the Imperial Calendar. A joint venture between the Zensunni Pashafar Sect and the Kalergi Haswadim Sects. They were peaceful sects of their respective religions and did much of the heavy lifting in chartering the system. Dutifully petitioning for the Rights of Colonization by the then Tsaraj-Empress Valeria I. A request which was granted and the first colony ships arrived in the following months. Establishing the City of Pashwadim as the official municipality on the nascent colony world of Hashzun Tertius. The only inhabitable planet in the system, a Cheti-Class world, though mining colonies were set up on its moons and one of its asteroid belts.
By the 15th Millennium of the Imperial Calendar the Chassid System was host to four and a half million inhabitants. By the 17th it had quintupled until by the 20th Millennium of the Imperial Calendar the system boasted a population approaching sixty million. A planet of peaceful prosperity like oh' so many backwater worlds in the timeless void.
Until a young Human under the name Sidhar-Mohaddim, whether this was a name or a title is open for debate since the Zensunni faith had an office of Sidha which denoted a traveling priest seeking enlightenment. While the Mahayan Catheric faith listed the name of Mohaddim on their traditional name lists as a varient of even older Terran names. Some Theological scholars suspect the Pashafar and Haswadim Sects were largely Syncretic by this time period and had even adopted the Catheric name into their own naming schemes. Either the case, the mane known as Sidhar-Mohaddim led a rapid, and at first peaceful overtaking of the planets administration. Even going so far as to be elected by planetary plebiscite, as was tradition on the planet, and getting approval by the Imperial Gespan Vilhan Prevantis as the sanctioned governor of the world.
The theocratic reign of terror started shortly after, with some suspecting the original Sidhar-Mohaddim having died only a couple years after taking official office, and a stand in ruling in his stead. At any rate all foreign faiths were quickly barred from practice, then forced to leave the world, often violently. Those refusing to go were met with ruthless barbarism. Such as Bahai'Shinto and Catheric farmers in the hinterlands of the world being assaulted, tortured, and murdered as the followers of the Sidhar practiced what they called a 'Holy Cleansing' of their world.
Imperial Intelligence was soon to catch on to this ordeal...
19,918 IY
Chassid System
<<NavSpecDiv>>
<Syncing>
<<<<S.T.A.R. Team Delta-2>>>>
<<Accessing Data Docket>>
-160 Hours before Operation Brevity
Emerging near a tight asteroid cluster the small, sleek, light absorbing hull of an Imperial Intelligence corvette entered the system via Gravitic Drive. Launching from a staging point one parsec away the corvette had traveled for two days in Gravitic FTL before exiting just inside the Chassid System's older Red Giant Star's perihelion sphere. Cruising into the system with most power off, forcing the crew to wear life support suits, the vessel moved largely invisible at incredible speed. Though perhaps no one was looking, and the Imperials knew it. As the vessel continued on a large curving trajectory, using other celestial bodies to sling shot itself, the corvette completed a rapid fly by of the planet known as Hashzun Tertius. Before making its way out of the system. But not before a single pod dropped to the surface in the hinterlands of the world.
Making impact mere moments later the pod landed in a dusty field. Its doors opening as a squad of individuals in black thermal absorbent armour and clothing exited. Bearing an assortment of Imperial Pulse rifles, LMG, and sub-sonic needlers. Their helmets scanning the environment about them, noticing the wavy band of Humans approaching, also armed. But the Imperials did not raise their weapons.
The denizens of the planet meeting them were a rag tag bunch. But all had Imperial icons tied to their left arms or cinched onto their hats. Imperial Partisans. Loyalist militia.
"I'm Barthol, I lead the local Imperial Self-Defense Battalion in the Kazhzun Uplands." said an Olive skinned man wearing a red beret cinched with the Imperial Aegis. His brows furrowed and his gruff beard shifted with the cool breeze. "Imperial Special Forces? We weren't expecting Special Forces?" Recognizing some of the insignia and gear that the troopers wore as belonging to the Imperial Marine Special Forces S.T.A.R. Units. Space, Terrestrial, Amphibious, Recon.
"Captain Azahara. Imperial Marine Corps."
86 Hours Later
Hazhun Tertius
Bloembuurg District, Kazhzun Uplands
The convoy of seven vehicles, all tire configured automobiles, moved through the semi-arid landscape of the Bloembuurg District. The Uplands would gradually go from a semi-arid landscape at lower elevations to a fertile savannah in the upper valleys and plateaus. Often given over to farms and hamlets by colonists whom had worked the land for generations. Yet, had now resisted the teachings of the Sidhar-Mohaddin for some time. As such the militant arm of the faith, the Holy Legion, had established garrisons throughout the region.
In the middle car was five individuals. A driver, a door gunner, and a trio of officers in the back. All the rest of the vehicles had .65 cal gun mountings and door guns on the passenger side. The front vehicle even had a rocket system instead of a .65 cal gun. Soldiers scanning the road and horizon for threats.
In the middle car the officers joked and jested. "So then I said, Habrahim! Habrahim! You got so pissed drunk you tripped into the pool. Your wife and sons had to fish you ou-."
A deafening boom. A throaty roar of flames. A cry went up as a shockwave struck the back of the middle car. The driver instinctively sped up, only for the car in front to burst into flames. While the second spouted fire from the right side. Blowing out the entire right side of the vehicle. The middle car by virtue of speeding up now rammed headlong into the burning rear of its anterior convoy member. The driver hit the steering wheel, breaking his nose, and crying aloud. The passenger swung his gun around frantically before crimson ichor shot forth like a shotgun blast. Dousing the trio of men in the back in gore. The head of the passenger gunner had been cored by a large caliber sub-sonic round.
Shouting, chaos, one of the officers opened the door as the glass on one side pocked. Bulletproof enough to absorb rounds. Hitting the dirt of the road the lead officer pulled his side arm and began shouting. Then his legs separated from his body with a violent blue flash of light.
"Ahhh! Ahhh!" The officer cried as his cauterized stumps sizzled. The smoke of charred flesh reaching the other two men's nostrils. The second officer dove to the right while the third actually opened the opposite door to fall onto his stomach. Activating a device on his belt as he simmered with an energy shield. Pulling his dagger the officer pointed to a staggering, shell shocked soldier, a soldier who crumpled after his body gave seven violent puffs of red. Seven needle like projectiles having lanced into his upper torso and neck.
The officer turned and there, rising from the bushes, were figures who shifted with the terrain. Their armour and clothes adapting to the patterns. Accompanied by even more individuals in rag tag outfits. The lead, active camo wearing individuals moved quickly, confidently, and with practiced precision. One of whom was walking right towards the shielded officer.
"Moha-!" shouted the other surviving officer as he charged one of the camouflaged figures. A blue flash from another active-camo soldiers bisected the officer in a flurry of pulsing laser shots.
The last officer, the oldest one, raised his blade in readiness. The approaching active-camo warrior, no, infidel! Did not break stride. Merely drawing a short sword from a scabbard attached to the left side of their calf. Ka'thur, for that is what the white woven lettering on his left breast pocket read, frowned as his opponent came into better clarify.
"Imp." Was all he said, as if in acknowledgement. The Imperial Marine said nothing as Ka'thur dove for a quick, snake like, stab.
City of Pashwadim
-74 Hours before Operation Brevity
"This is the third depot these...Partisans, have hit!" A bludgeoning fist struck a wooden table. Rattling it on its legs against the smooth red stone floor of the dimly lit room. Around the table a cluster of officials in green and brown uniforms, clerical garbs, or simple tunics but evidently important to be present grimaced. "They grow more bold by the day, no the hour! Where is General Ka'thur?! He is supposed to be taking control of the 6th Territorial Brigade of our Holy Legion!"
"He is supposed to be arrived in the Bloembuurg District thirty-minutes ago. Commander Afraim is goi-."
The clatter of running feet and a man in the garb of a junior officer burst into the room. "My Sidhar-Mohaddin, General Ka'thur's convoy has been hit. A drone has picked up this."
"Put it on screen! Now!" shouted the man known as Sidhar-Mohaddin. Sure enough, a camera feed showed several scorch destroyed vehicles and bodies of Holy Legion soldiers strewn about. "We have a detachment en route. Estimated arrival is fifteen minutes from Bloembuurg." Another fist struck the table.
"This is too precise. That is too clean. Too organized. We must assume the Galactic Imperium has betrayed us. Our Faith is strong, it will see us to victory, we must prepare to fortify the city."
CU-196/C-22 System
Charted, Uninhabited Sytem 196 Cygnus region 22 as per Imperial Stellar Cartography was situated just over two light-years away from the Chassid System. At least, not permanently inhabited, as dozens of ships had gathered in the system. Many stretching over two kilometers long, the largest being twenty kilometers in length. The mighty vessel shown with gunmetal gray hull and blue lighting from its observation ports.
On the bridge of the mighty vessel a figure stared out into the darkness of space. The crew in their terminal pits or raised terraces conducted numerous tasks. In conjunction with the ships artificial intelligence and numerous robots fullfilling additional tasks.
A pair of booted footsteps made soft steps on the smooth walkway which ran across the length of the bridge. Pausing behind the lone figure in a simple red uniform. "My Lord. Report from Delta-2. It as Intelligence predicted. Religious fanatics have taken the planet and are prosecuting Imperial Citizens. Delta-2 has linked up with Imperial Loyalists and has marked numerous planetary targets and information. I have Naval Intelligence going over it now."
"Very good. We commence the Operation on schedule, Admiral Piotr." The deep voice of the red uniformed man, despite his young features, made it clear that everything was to commence as planned. The gray uniformed officer behind him merely bowed and said, "Yes, My Lord."
Chassid System
Zero Hour
The system defense frigate Haswadim Dream was typical of many self defense ships about the Galaxy. Meant to patrol the system for pirates and provide orbital security. It was a 'frigate' only in sense that it was larger than a typical corvette or destroyer class vessel. But was smaller, lacked FTL, and under gunned and powered when compared to an Imperial Navy frigate. Such vessels formed part of the security forces planets often organized to keep order and stability. More glorified policing forces than any real paramilitary organization.
The captain of the vessel looked out as he watched its sister ship, The Righteous Chorus, begin its outbound route to patrol the edges of the star system. When a shout from an ensign broke the serenity.
"Captain! Eighty-Nine super-luminal conta-!"
An entire fleet dropped out of Luminal faster-than-light mere light minutes away. A massive vessel flashing into view. Its massive prow lancing through The Righteous Chorus in a small star like explosion. But the larger vessel was undamaged. Strong shielding had prevented any damage as it continued forth.
"Alert Comm-"
"Incoming!"
"Raise shi-"
The Haswadim Dream was struck by one hundred and thirty-seven laser bolts in short order. Reducing the vessel to a slowly falling wreckage as the planets gravity well drew the stricken starship down. Debris already wreathed in fire as the one kilometer long frigate broke apart. Its engines impacting a forest thirteen hundred kilometers away from where its prow plowed into earth.
The Imperial Fleet did not break proverbial stride as missiles launched, MIRVs, for as they passed into the atmosphere the nose of the missles opened to launch various other warheads. Each one guided by programmed sub-routines to home in on various targets. Eight hundred and ninety-six missile impacts. Half of whom were atomic warheads between sixty and one hundred and twenty megaton yields. Flattening forests, causing widepsread fires, entire bases and other marked targets vanishing in the fires of purging flame.
It was not over as a half dozen cruisers moved into geo-synchronous orbit and began conducting pinpoint strikes.
Bridge of the Spirit of Malevolence.
"First phase targets destroyed, Lord Valerian. Orbital strikes of secondary targets underway. The 5th Legion is dropping on schedule. The 22nd Imperial Army will be following shortly."
"Excellent, Admiral, Delta-2's status?" came the Crown Prince's reply as he watched blossoming mushroom clouds across the surface of the world.
"They have successfully infiltrated the City of Pashwadim's sewers and are en route to their target in the Palace of Holy Judgement. The Loyalists and their families are at the designated zones ready for extraction by Vice-Admiral Lothreng's squadron."
A silent nod of approval and Admiral Piotr relaxed ever so slightly.
+4 Hours since Operation Brevity commenced.
City of Pashwadim
The sky was alight with tracer fire as swarms of Imperial transports, gunships, and attack craft conducted an impressive aerial campaign. Arriving with such force and numbers that the defenses were quite frankly overwhelmed. Precise bombing and rocket runs had destroyed mobile convoys of the Holy Legion in the opening hours. Numerous AA installations lay abandoned as crews reported tasting metal, succumbing to radiation sickness shortly after a nuclear warhead detonated above the city just before the Imperial sorties began to leave their hangars; all, while the city's population huddled in their homes or civil defense bunkers. At least, those whom had not be unfortunate enough to be outside when the bombs began to drop.
The Imperial soldiery to land were the 5th Legion of the Imperial Guard. The Imperium's Fist, or Valerian's Fist as a more apt name, disgorging thousands of troopers in successive waves. The Legion, which this was not even it's total number, poured forth from their drop ships. Other Guardsman swiftly landed via suspensor fields to conduct aerial insertions in defender zones. Directly engaging the confused, demoralized, increasingly desparate defenders up close and personal. Imperial halberds cut through Holy Legionnaires. Imperial pulse guns and ballistic firing rifles scythed down entire platoons. Imperial shortswords and sabers rent limb from body. While Imperial suspensor equipped tanks and armoured vehicles provided volumes of supporting fire to crack the natives fortifications.
The 22nd Imperial Army, the main ground force, was tasked with the overall securing of the planet. General Parmenion Jahlren capably putting several hundred thousand soldiers onto the planet's surface by the 5th hour of the operation. Resistance was however already dying.
Palace of Holy Judgement
City of Pashwadim
The Palace of Holy Judgement was roughly 'H' shaped with dome rising from the central cross-section. Its smooth stone surface, ruined by impacts, now pockmarked and charred. Beautiful mosaic windows lay in shattered fragments across the ground. Fires licked the broken golden leaf dome's roof as the central wooden scaffolding beneath the dome burned from the fighting creeping through the building.
Delta-2 moved like wraiths as the Imperial Guard overran the outer plazas. Exiting with their quarry squirming in their grasp. Their blades wet with fresh spilled blood. Tossing the Sidhar-Mohaddin to the ground where the man looked up to see a figure in black and electrum armour. Black-red lenses looked down at the haggard looking man. Red and black cloak billowing in the wind. The Sidhar-Mohaddin didn't even seem to care to look at the pair of golden and silver, electrum, gird warriors standing behind the armoured individual before him.
A flick of the wrist and one of the Marines held the man so his neck was out, face down towards the pavement, before letting go and stepping away. The black and electrum armoured figure moved to the side and drew his blade. A blade which wreathed itself in silver white light. One swift swing and the fundamentalist rebellion was dead.