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Planet Staverron. Outer rim, sector 8 of the Imperium. 17,005 GE (Galactic Empire)
Sunrise
The thunder of the particle cannons against the defense shields was a deafening and rude awakening. Sargent Jonah Armstrong waited outside impatiently for his Captains orders. It seemed that the Captain was shell shocked from the get go and refused to give the order to attack. Five long and stressful minutes had passed and still no order for the counter attack was given. Their position was weakening with every salvo, suddenly one of the cannons broke through the power shields and struck the command bunker. The Captain lay outside incoherently, saved only by his personal suit's added defense shield. At the sight of seeing the Captain go down, Sargent Jonah started giving orders to mount up and prepare for a counter attack. As the troops climbed into their power armor and vehicles for the counter strike, the assault that had started without warning, had quickly stopped. The sudden silence was maddening, had they all gone deaf or was it even worse? One of the corporals asked the Sargent "Sir how could they know our location, and how did they sneak onto the planet without our knowledge?" The Sargent was just as confused, only the Turrelions could have performed such a surprise attack, but they were the oldest of the Imperium's allies. The Sargent yelled at the corporal to go into the command bunker to see if the communication center was still operational. Soon after he had gone inside, the corporal came out with a pale face. The squad looked at one another confused as the corporal announced, "It's over." The Sargent calmed the men who broke out into a loud shouts of confusion and shock. He then asked" What do you mean it's over, did those guns get taken out? Speak up son." The Corporal just looked directly into the Sargent hardened face and exclaimed, "Supreme Commander Hillsbrad has surrendered the Empire over to the Coalition. We are to follow suit and prepare for orders from our new Coalition commanders." The squad began to cry out angrily yet again, none could comprehend such an order. The Captain, who moments before lay on the floor, stood up and gained his composure. "Settle down men, you heard the order from HQ." The Sargent quickly snapped back to attention. He was ever defiant at the news of surrender, but he was a true soldier and would follow an order to the death for the Imperium. The Sargent ordered," You heard the Captain, troops, lets get this base back into shape and prepare for our instructions."
Moments later, inside a make shift command tent, the Captain was on his tactical control screen as he notices the Sargent waiting patiently outside the tent. The Captain asks" What can I do for you Jonah?" "Sir, permission to speak freely, sir." The Captain nods his permission and the Sargent entered the tent. "I just don't understand it, sir. Why would we surrender? We are the most powerful of all the nine thousand nations and we still retain all 3 of our highly fortified home world sectors." The Captain responds, "It's simple math, Jonah, the Coalition has managed to ally themselves with too many of the Tier Elite nations. It would be only a matter of time before we would have to surrender. We could hold off for years to come, but eventual..." The Sargent emotionally interrupts, "S.C. Hillsbrad is a coward, sir." The Captain continues," ...no, Jonah, Hillsbrad is a tactician. He knows the Empire cannot win versus the thousands of nations preparing to take control of our sectors." The Sargent cannot believe what he is hearing from an Imperium officer, "Sir the Imperium is the only true ruler of Humanity, how can we bow down to a corporation with delusions of grandeur? Three hundred years ago they where selling appliances and now they are set to become our masters?" The Captain looks unfazed by the remark and responds, "Politicians care not of bloodlines or seventeen thousand years of tradition, Jonah. That "corporation" has what every man in the farthest reaches of space wants. The Coalition has made the promise of eternal life to anyone who would join. I am afraid it's proven too strong a temptation even for our noblest of ally nations." The Sargent grows even more bold, "So what now then, sir? Do we help them in their quest to rule the nations of Mankind, all for the promise of living like a dog for eternity?"
"There is yet hope, Jonah," responds the Captain. A confused look is now on the Sargent's face, "How can that be sir? Hillsbrad has served us up on a silver platter to the Coalition." The Captain calmly responds while walking towards a table. "Years ago, Jonah, I was sent to a world far into the depths of the lowliest sectors. A small planet that was deemed too insignificant to set up proper mining operations on. It was established as a resort world for the Imperium elite due to it's natural beauty and original home world feel. Kept a secret from all but those lucky enough to be invited, the planet has stayed low in profile even till today. The planet, named Cyrene, is a beautiful but dangerous world, Jonah. Much had to be done so the elite could enjoy their new found playground. While I was down there, leading countless clean-up missions and patrols, I discovered something of great use. As a matter of fact, I had just recently spoken personally with Hillsbrad a week ago while he was down in sector 8 for reviews. Needless to say I was able to convince him of some important matters concerning the Imperium and planet Cyrene. Unfortunately, the surprise attack on our position today has forced us to escalate our plans.
The Sargent was deeply confused and did not understand, "Sir, I just don't get any of what you are saying." The Captain walks to a small table, picks up a flask containing a deep purple fluid. He pours into a small cup and offers it to Sargent Jonah. "Have a sip of this sweet nectar, Jonah. It is the juice from the finest fruit on planet Cyrene." Jonah takes the cup and prepares to drink the sweet fragrant juice. After enjoying the aroma he drinks it slowly and then finds he has drank the entire cups worth of juice. The Captain looks at Jonah and asks, "Well, how was it Jonah?" The Sargent produced a smile and responded, "Amazing sir, I feel... happy, my mind is at peace, almost as if I was..." The Captain responds for him, "Enlightened." The Sargent not caring about what had just transpired just stood there and enjoyed the feeling. The Captain turns his back and with a large grin exclaims. "Excellent, Sargent Jonah, I would now like to welcome you to the a new era, a new Empire for mankind. Welcome to, The Sons of Remus."
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