To the people of the Koprulu Sector, it is tense, A bit of a Cold war between the Imperium and the dominion, but the fact that it's been a few years since the fall of the Confederacy and the United Earth Directorate, the people that is in everyday normal life.
They had it better than under the confederacy.
With the trade agreements, prosperity flowed like rivers. Merchant fleets traveled in Terran domain. Bringing profitability for humanity.
Factories and workshop in designated zones is set up.
Low taxes and Incentives have bring the people and companies to make business in the Imperium outer holdings.
Rogue traders entered Protoss space to trade. With their writ of authority, signed by Alexander they brought in Protoss technology and resources that the Mechanicum is the biggest buyer of such artifacts.
This is a tale of one such a planet that was once a refugee planet that border the once mighty Confederacy...
New Beginning.
It was named by the refugees that the high Lord evacuated from the cursed Tarsonis and planets fallen by the zerg.
A bright future for those that lost almost everything, the Imperium shielded them from their demise. To them... This planet was a new beginning for them.
Not all of them enjoy the corporate life and crunching numbers. Some enjoy their new jobs. With incentives to promote themselves to a higher standard of living.
Long before it was overwhelmed by the Zerg, Protoss and the madmen of the former regime. People flock to this space.
Hundreds of millions managed to reached to similar planets like this under the coin of the High Lord of The Imperium. Smuggled or legal otherwise.
And they were put to work.
Their contribution is their foundation.
Those that had their skills in their trades, like Carpenter and woodcutting make their living to build the first foundation of the colony.
The Imperium only gave them limited assistance other than just protecting their planet with a garrison.
Some were opportunistic, making beer and ale from the local fauna as the Farmlands to feed the colony is prepped for harvest season.
Geologist and surveyors, scanned the terrains to assess the value to mine Minerals to make their wooden houses to be made marble.
Materials is exchange for coin and rare resources is catalogued and submitted to the local Magos of the Adeptus Biologos to observe the planet habitable zones.
It was a small colony from the start... Just a small whiff of war, it would fall down and be forgotten.
That was just four years ago.
Now, its a sprawling city, with Dockyard that produces small ship in orbit. And orbital elevator making it a self sustaining ecosystem to ensure it could housed a hundred billion if necessary.
Three regiments is raised from the refugees and trained by the Imperium trainers.
New Beginning is the gateway to the Imperium prosperity.
As the refugee planets is now turned into a trade zones for the outside factions to trade and negotiate with the Deals.
The High Lord only taxed them the moment their second yearly revenue is confirmed by the census bureau as it is stable. And it was low. And those that tried to find loophole was surprised that they couldn't use their lawyer to crawl their way out.
"Come on, my dear Matthew, there's not a chance like this since... Forever!" A woman smiled as she rushed out the ship hangar.
She rushed to a flock of doves and they flew away making her feel like a strange figure.
And a man that walked out, is fatigue by his..."wife" eccentricity.
"I keep telling Raynor, I should have never played that Card Game." He sighed.
"And you don't get a gal like me?" She smiled with her toothy grin.
If anyone recognize these two. They were Mira Han and Matt Horner.
Matt Horner was one of the Dominion potential Cadets until Raynor picked him up.
But after several close calls and ended up at Deadman rock. And he was now a Imperial Commodore due to his skills.
After the fateful poker game, Matt ended up with the badass mercenary in the business.
Alexander heard of her exploits and became one of her patrons. She can do whatever she wants... Except damaging the interest of the Imperium and human trafficking.
She joined the Imperial mercenary guild and by a stroke of luck, she ended up as a Rogue trader, personally written by Alexander to keep her in check.
Her territory is now the Deadman Rock, as Alexander spent time purging the Pirates and even that place was not even safe.
As rumors of giants of death purged the pirates in that sector.
Most pirate left and leaving the place basically undefended.
Mira Han took advantage and controlled the place. Making it a neutral place to hold diplomatic meetings and a giant scrapyard.
So... In terms of relationship hierarchy...
Matt Horner whose rank is a Commodore of Raynor Raiders and Mira Han whose a Rogue Trader...
She never able to spent as much time as today.
After all, she is a wanted criminal in the Dominion. Have several cases of murder in her belt.
After examining her cases of murder... It was self defense in most of them... plausible ones at best..
But in the Imperium, as long as she abides the rules, she would be safe. After all she and her men saw those monsters and lived to tell the tale that the Imperium was not the one to fuck with.
And having a direct phone call to High Lord, it allowed her to know where her husband is.
And this is the very rare occasion they are together... Without bullets whizzing by.
"Oh, come on, Dear Matthew, do you think that dress looks great on my figure. I always wanted a decent wedding than a poker night." Mira pointed on a wedding dress that was being sold.
"What makes you think that?" Matt coughed as he tried to divert the issue.
He glanced at Raynor and Tychus that was still loading up supplies.
They simply gave him the thumbs up.
They had nothing to do with a chaotic lass.
Even Tychus Findley, the chick magnet knew that Mira is practically a bomb that he's not willing to defuse. As he have more other business to handle.
As the Duo leave the couple behind, they found themselves at the bar.
Simple light on the sign that simply wrote as Joey ray bar.
"It's been a while since we been to this place.
When was it? Few months ago?" Raynor spoke as he entered the bar that he frequently join.
"Raynor and Tychus? Already your VIP room is prepared as we speak." The host smiled warmly as she led the duo to the top.
The owner knew them as they were led to a room that is already meant for them.
Joey ray have moved to this place as it was more cheaper and it allowed the customers to get what it's like to have cheap booze. The owner expanded his bar to have five floors to accommodate the volume of customers to enter.
Raynor noticed the masses of people flocked to get Karl Brauser Beers. And local variety, he even saw some officers and soldiers are spending some time off duty as they drank and mingle with the locals.
Telling stories of their exploits.
After a session of drinking.
Tychus spoke to him.
"Lil' Jimmy... There's something wrong with you lately?" Tychus spoke to Raynor.
As lately ever since the brood war, Raynor is consuming copious amounts of alcohol... More than the usual.
"I dunno... Lately... I having these weird dreams... About you... About her..."
"Don't get yourself in a pickle, I'm right here."
"Forget it... None of it... Matters..."
"Did I died in that dream of yours?" Tychus spoke.
Raynor halted his drink. Just before his lips touch the rim of his glass.
"You knew?"
"I known about it. Hell, I still had that vivid memories that I defended you in that failed bank robbery and ended up in New Folsom, frozen till lil Ol' Mengsk dragged me out and order me to kill ya. And you put a bullet on my skull on Char while saving your lil' girlfriend, But remember, who was the one that wasn't in our memories?" Tychus breathe a puff of smoke
"Alexander Solair... Every dream, there was never a Celestial Imperium, just the Dominion... Nor the Evacuation of Tarsonis or... Fenix.." Raynor trailed off.
He remembers the Protoss friend of his...
How he died by Kerrigan Hands, her hand clenched his deceased friend dragged from the protoss dragoon, now still living and acted as a counsel with Artanis that is the new Executor.
Some of the dreams is vivid, and some fragmented...
But a man that saved his life and his parents was never a part of those dreams...
"Anyway, how about some good ol' raiding in a Dominion outpost, keep your mind off the problems. That's how I actually do it to keep that problem off my lil' noggin."
"Thanks Tychus..." Raynor softly smiled.
"Always a Damm pleasure, Lil' jimmy, I always be there for you... Just don't put a bullet in my head, while you saving your little princess from the swarm, I am under a very good boss that pays well, that gave me my freedom.... At least I got a decent suit and a big boy to still need my articulate prowess to smack some dommie skulls." Tychus grinned as he gave a puff of smoke.
The atmosphere became tense as the Klaxon horns blared across the city.
Raynor noticed the soldiers that are custom rushed out the building.
Raynor and Tychus stunned a bit as a Broadcast was spread across the city.
++Emergency Announcement! Zerg is heading to the Imperium Space and heading directly on this planet, All Services is to be halted and all Garrisons are to be ready for the Tide! Citizens, Evacuate as the Imperium will defend the place!++
Many of them panicked but, some ex-military that witness the broadcast decided it was fun for a change. Some of them consider this place their home.
"Hey, Sign me Up with my buddies!!" One ex confederate spoke to a officer nearby.
The Military base on the planet is thriving in activity.
Soldiers and tanks rushed out as sandbags is placed in quick succession and Trenches is made. Anti-aircraft batteries aimed at the skies and Bolter turrets changed their regular bolts with Implosion variants.
A group of ex-military stood before the barracks. Now emptied by the sudden announcement, leaving but a few that remained.
"You know how to pilot CMC Suits, we are pretty undermanned here?!"
"Got Training! We are former ex-military!"
"Hey, Buttpatch, you sure that a good plan? Joining the Imperium? Especially we are under attack by the Zerg?!"
"Crackhead, you know this is our home right? After all, if this planet is consumed, we are all dead! Besides they will definitely not hateful towards us former UED right?"
The officer came out and spoke. And beside him was a blindfolded person that is cloaked.
"Yes, you two are confirmed to be ex-military, do you.. by good of the imperial and all of humanity, are you willing to die for it?"
As Crackhead wanted to yelled out. His companion shut his mouth.
"Yes, we both are, we are willing to defend our homes and fight against the Zerg!"
The officer glance at the person beside him.
The figure sighed as they nodded.
"Good, you may be former enemies of the imperium, this psyker besides me vouched for your actions today. Now get going!" The officer tossed them some id.
Your CMC Suits is in Power Suit central C-3, exit this place head down 3 blocks next to this barrack and let the staff get your suits prepped, you have 30 minutes before the Zerg pushed into the final defensive lines! If you betrayed us, prepped your service to be a Servitor for eternity!"
"Yes, Sir we will!"
"Come on, Crackhead! We going to fight for our homes!"
"Alright, alright, I gettin there! You are just here for the free College for your kid huh!?"
"As long as I stay alive brother!"
The two unlikely duo wouldn't have known that they would be what the Galaxy needed the most...
They rushed out of the barracks and found in that facility. The facility was just a giant armoury, stockpiles of former UED weaponry lined in a row. Gathered from the looting from the former UED, the weapons may be weak to the Imperium, but it was still a better equipment than the Dominion.
To these two... It was home.
After they suited up.
Crackhead saw his... Friend Buttpatch suit have the same makeshift patch in the rear of the suit he was wearing...
Raynor and Tychus, rushed out of the bar and found Matt Horner that somewhat felt appreciated for the sudden conflict and Mira Han looked pissed that her precious moments was ruined by the Zerg.
"Damnit! This was the only time I get to spend time with my Hubby!"
"Madam, You need to go back to Deadman Rock to ready your forces!"
"Jeez, when this is over, Matthew, you and I is going to have a date for this!" Mira yelled as she was escorted by her men to her ship.
"About time, What's the issue?" Matt noticed a Officer nearby handed him the dataslate.
"High Lord found a Artifact on Mars Sara, and he requested that Raynor Raiders should do a pickup. He believed that this invasion is because of the relic can bring back the queen of blades."
"Why didn't he used the fleet to pick up the relic?" Matt asked.
It was no brainer that having the Imperium fleets can now contest with the Zerg, surely they can do what they could not.., but the officer spoke.
"The borders is under attack by the Zerg and all fleets is converging to the frontlines and protecting the trade lanes, your fleet Commodore, is still available." The officer grimly spokem
"I see...sir? Matt noticed Raynor looked dumbfounded.
"So it truly happening? Damm..." Raynor spoke softly. He had a dream that he was at Mars Sara. And the Dominion was still in control of the Planet.
And this time he was with Matt to pick up the artifact to bring Kerrigan back.
"Alright, Matt, prepped the fleet, we are going to pick up the Artifact."
The evacuation was in a steady flow of people.
They entered this weird Gates that supposed to teleport them away from the battlefield.
Those that have the means of spaceship, have already left the planet.
Those that exited new beginning, found that the situation in space was bad.
The Zerg was unrelenting tide of flesh.
They outnumbered the amount of barrels as black holes and antimatter was tossed wantonly into the unending tides.
Tthe defenders managed to stem the tide for a short while, until the Zerg Breached into the defensive lines. And the first Zerg drop pods landed on the untainted land.
Those that was close to the drop site, converge the drop zones and set it on fire.
But the amount was overwhelming.
The Zerg drones managed to land on the planet and started making hive clusters in mere hours... And they grow larvae to make more Zerg organism.
The creep spread like a tide, more faster than before. That it affected some of the machinery nearby.
The sounds of artillery rained on the growing
The Zerg controlled area.
Buttpatch and Crackhead formed a platoon that consists of former UED and Confederate soldiers. The reason why they are so easy to be allowed to fight, is because their Power suits had their self destruct embedded the power source that their Commisar held the button.
Compared to fighting the Imperium, the Zerg was in a way, much more safer.
Compared of fighting the fangs and claws of the Zerg, it was a bit of a heaven compared of the Imperium unending amount of Lasguns that riddled you full of holes and bolters that exploded you from within.
And the rewards is just as great.
30 silver thrones per Zerglings. And 50 gold thrones for a Ultralisk or mutalisk. And if they died they have money for their pension that their family can use.
So in a sense, it was a Incentives for the local troops to dragged as many Zerg with them.
But those that were recruited by Alexander fought as hard as well.
It was their home.
Buttpatch and Crackhead platoon fought on.
It was inevitable that the Zerg would soon overrun the planet.
New Beginning was just a trading zone, they don't have a hive city to holed up... The frontlines were under attacked all around.
And reinforcements is but a day away.
The Planetary Governor gave the order.
Organized Retreat. A Exterminatus is in order. All the civilians is already evacuated and let the Zerg have a flaming inferno of a planet. And all the military assets that is able to leave is to evacuate.
Many tried to dispell the notion of retreat.
But the governor spoke.
"If we died in vain, we would be shamed by our god emperor... We must regroup and reform the frontlines... If we failed... Our children and families would despise us. We can retake this planet."
And he headed below his office, there was a technology to preserve the infrastructure of the planet.
"Hey, Buttpatch, your wife managed to escape the planet! Let's go!" Crackhead spoke as he smacked a Zergling with his gauss rifle and filled it full of lead.
They were too far behind the enemy lines, but the amount of Zerg is piled high.
Their local Firebats incinerated the Zerg swarm.
A group of medivacs arrived at their location
"Raynor Raiders is here! Get aboard!"
"Hell yeah, we are saved!"
They were teleported out and joined the Raynor fleet as they headed to Mars Sara.
The duo watched as the planet is slowly turned a tide of Purple.
Woodlands being consumed for biomass and hive cluster is growing even faster than before.
The Planetary Governor remained behind.
He along with the automated machines of war and rear guard echelons as they defended the last infrastructure.
He stood as a steward to this planet for almost six years..it was a wonderful moment, but a fleeting moment.
The Iron Curtain, was the machine to preserve the land.
This technology was said to make buildings and vehicles to be invulnerable for a short period of time. Now improved to last for weeks. But it would kill everyone that is made of flesh that is not covered by imperium armor.
Now he put that to the test.
He is planning to use this technology to make the last city to be iron curtained.
Killing everything that is biological that is in the open and not wearing power armor. And preserving the tagged infrastructure from the holy flames of the Imperium.
As the machine powered up. He did felt a sense of regret.. but he understood the consequences of letting the Zerg get a stronghold of this planet.
"May the Imperium be the final victor." He muttered as he pressed the button.
The machine burst a spread of golden light. He was vaporized into pieces as it spread outward.
A golden hue spread across the ruined city, it vaporized every Zerg and their taint from the city itself.
The Zerg howled as they unable to infest the last city on the planet. Where the golden hue prevented their biomatter infest the city.
But the zerg were unable to realize that in the orbits above.
The Planetary defense fleet captains wept as they are forced to used orbital bombardment to scorch the planet. Their final command from their beloved Planetary Governor last will.
Beams of light rained down, nonstop like meteor showers. Each blast was akin to the surface of the sun. Causing a fire tide.
As the tide of fire swept over the planet, rushing like a tsunami. They could still see the last city is preserved from the flames of purity. Still glimmering in gold.
Even after a destruction, the city would be preserve and the planet would be reclaimed.
But the Zerg would not deserve even a single biomass, not even a mineral would be sufficient to recoup their losses.
Had it been the Dominion, they would be swarm with reporters under the scrutiny of such a radical choice.
The Imperium knew the cost. They evacuate the citizens and the local garrison bought time for the people to escape.
A dead civilians of the Imperium is a biomass for the Zerg to masse their forces. Especially the memories of the dead people that will disseminated across the hivemind.
As a man once said.
"If you have men and you lose land, the land can be taken again. If you keep land, lose men and you lose both land and men."
The majority of the the garrison forces of New Beginning were preserved and the surviving PDF fleets joined the other Frontlines to assist the tide.
They did hated Governor for his actions, but knowing that they could reclaimed the land, and the surviving city that is preserved by the Iron curtain in the midst of flames is like a glimmer of hope... They could rebuild and they would never want their homeland lost like this.
Destroying the planet was the first of many, giving the frontlines to be stabilized.
Such situations were heavy losses at the start. Until the Frontlines is already stabilized and now they spread outward.
The Sudden attack and the total mobilization was in full effect.
Cadets from the Naval academy is rushed out and manned ships and recruits is trained nonstop behind the frontlines.
From the Zerg capital planet of Char.
A woman sat on a throne of flesh.
She smiled as the choice of the people that is willing to burn their own planet amused her.
But since she sense the artifact that Alexander Capital is dug up.
She knew the man would take offense.
But nevertheless... The she would do what her instilled command made by the former Overmind.
"Now then... Jim... I will personally... Deal with you later."
She stepped from her throne and all the Zerg that was in her throne room swept aside as she floated to the entrance of her palace.
"The Zerg would consume all. Not even the Imperium would stand against our numbers...not even you Acturus." She smiled.
This war would be a very interesting war....