Chapter 1088 Honor and Betrayal in the Shadow
Sector Government Headquarters
Hera Administrative Fortress
This is a giant Gothic building complex suspended in synchronous orbit.
Its spire pierces the clouds, its archway inlaid with the golden Eagle emblem is a kilometer high, and each painted glazed window depicts a fragment of the Emperor's holy crusade.
Inside, hundreds of kilometers of corridors stretched out like a maze, and the obsidian-inlaid floor reflected the figures of officials hurrying by, their robes rustling as they swept across the ground.
In the Supreme Decision-making Hall at the core of the fortress, Star Governor Hermann von Helios was standing in front of a holographic star map.
His office took up a full three floors, and the walls around it were carved from a single piece of white marble, with the imperial double-headed eagle outlined in gold.
Through the huge arched French windows, one could see the sector’s capital world, an emerald green planet enveloped in an artificial atmosphere, with hundreds of Imperial warships anchored in orbit.
His desk was a block of ebony taken from ancient Earth, and on the top were various data pads, parchment scrolls, and a communicator that was blinking red.
"grown ups."
His chief advisor, a tall, thin man wearing a data goggle, walked into the office quickly, his robe stained with sweat. "Latest war report."
Hermann did not look back, his eyes still fixed on the holographic star map.
On the star map, a scarlet shadow was slowly spreading from the eastern part of the Milky Way, like a drop of blood spreading in clear water.
"Tell me what's going on."
"Three hours ago, the detection array in our star region captured an abnormal signal." The chief consultant's voice trembled a little. "An unprecedented hive fleet is breaking through the defense line of the hazy star field. Its biological mass..."
"What about biological mass? Tell me!"
He swallowed and continued, "It's equivalent to the total of all known hive fleets."
As the consultant's voice fell, Herman's heart tightened.
"What about the exact amount?"
"It's hard to estimate. All psychics will explode and die instantly if they just take a look at it."
"Terra's side?"
"The High Lords' Council has issued an order." The Chief Advisor took a deep breath and said, "The star region must be defended and wait for the main fleet of the Empire to gather support."
At this moment, the office door was pushed open again, and this time the commander of the sector defense force, Cassius Ryan, walked in.
There were still traces of blackening from artillery fire on his power armor, and it was obvious that he had just returned from the front line.
"Governor." His voice was as rough as sandpaper. "The orbital defense platforms have been put on full alert, but our fleet..."
“Not enough,” Hermann interrupted. “I know.”
He walked to the French window and looked down at the planet below. Hundreds of millions of people lived there, and they knew nothing about it - merchants hawking their wares in the market, children chanting in the church school, nobles toasting in the banquet hall...
And now, the fate of all of them depends on a cold order.
"Execute the highest response protocol." Hermann said suddenly.
"Full conscription, compulsory enlistment of all citizens between the ages of 16 and 60; activation of all weapon arsenals, including those that are sealed; orbital defense platforms enter suicide interception mode; request the Mechanicus to open up forbidden technology, even though after this battle I may be stripped of my nobility and even hanged."
Hermann's voice remained unchanged. "Also, issue a general mobilization order to the Ecclesiarchy, when the Emperor needs them."
"Contact all Space Marine Legions, Chapters, Clone Troopers, and Battle Droid Troops that can be contacted, and bring in all the reinforcements that can be contacted."
"Understood, my lord."
"Activate the sector broadcast. I will report this matter to the civilians in our sector immediately."
"All planets in the sector have been connected, sir."
Several mechanical sages walked up to Hermann and watched quietly as Hermann started broadcasting to the entire star region.
………………
hours later
Casimir family
Ballroom
The light from the crystal chandelier reflected a dazzling halo on the gilded walls, and hundreds of nobles dressed in gorgeous clothes gathered in the banquet hall of the Casimir family.
Champagne bubbles in silver glasses, and the sound of the musician's harp floats softly in the air.
The music slowly stopped when old Casimir struck the marble floor heavily with his scepter.
“Gentlemen,” he said, his voice resonating like a bell, “the swarm is coming.”
The hall fell silent in an instant, and everyone was quietly watching the order from the manager of one of the most powerful nobles in the entire star zone.
"I have ordered that all of the Casimir family's private soldiers, including four infantry regiments, three armored regiments, two reserve companies of recruits, and my eldest son Arcas - will go to the front immediately."
His eldest son, Arkas Casimir, stood beside his father in gilded power armor.
His face was resolute and there was no hesitation in his eyes.
"For the Emperor!" Arkas shouted, raising his power sword.
In the banquet hall, half of the nobles stood up in response, and their eldest sons, who were also young nobles wearing gorgeous armor at this time, drew their weapons and swore allegiance.
"In the name of the Emperor! In the name of the House of Casimir!"
Under the lights of the banquet hall, the flag of the Casimir family appeared particularly bright under the lights of the banquet hall.
On the contrary, in the secret room of the Veselan family, the heavy oak door was closed, blocking out all sounds from the outside world.
Count Veseland, a fat middle-aged man wearing aristocratic robe, was wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Is the ship ready?" he asked in a low voice, his voice trembling with nervousness.
"Yes, father." A pale young man nodded and said, "Three merchant ships have been disguised as Mechanicus transport ships and are ready to set sail at any time."
Veselan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Very good...very good..."
"Let those fools die. The bloodline of our Veselan family must continue."
At this moment, a young man in a black robe suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with anger and he shouted: "Father! This is betrayal! The Emperor will curse us!"
"Shut up!"
"Is the emperor more important or is your life more important?"
Veselan slapped him in the face and continued to yell, "If you want to die, go to the front line! Don't drag down the family!"
"We are expected to leave here by midnight today. Let those idiots die in the mouth of the insect swarm."
Although Veselan said this, he still prayed in his heart.
"Great Emperor, I am just an ordinary person. Please don't force me to go to the battlefield. I am running away now to accumulate strength for you. Please protect me from being discovered by the Inquisition."
