A/N: Hope everybody had a good Christmas if you don't celebrate it then I hope your day went well.
The Holidays kinda messed up my upload schedule, but I will get back to our normal chapter a day or every two days after New Years.
There will two or three more chapters before New Years so you can atleast look forward to that.
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As soon as they entered the system, the fleet proceeded to the Star Forge which was the central military command center for the 75th and 82nd Imperial fleets and the Rakatan military. They were already informed that Daimon was coming to the planet and had prepared ahead of time for his arrival.
The first place Daimon went was the Star Forge where he would meet with the Archon of the Rakatan Dominion, Tarlen Kresh.
The Imperial Fleet approached the Star Forge but stopped some distance away so that normal traffic could continue going to and from the station. Daimon took the Luminary in and docked with the station directly.
Awaiting him within the hanger was Tarlen Kresh wearing his signature robes showing his status as the Archon and Daimon's champion. Behind him, a dozen high-ranking Rakatan military officers stood at attention, their expressions a mixture of respect and barely concealed nervousness.
Besides Tarlen, none of them had ever met the emperor but they had heard so much about him. Even in Rakatan society, Daimon was considered to be a god which was influenced from the fact that he manifested their new destiny.
Tarlen bowed when Daimon approached him, a gesture that was not normal for the Archon of the Rakatan Dominion unless dealing with Daimon or any of his family.
"My Lord," Tarlen greeted, rising from how bow. "The Dominion is honored by your presence. We have prepared detailed reports on the Unknown Region empires' incursions into our territory."
"Show me," Daimon commanded, as they began to walk towards the command center.
The command center of the Star Forge was a massive circular chamber filled with holographic displays showing real-time data from across the Rakatan Dominion's territory. Officers moved between stations, coordinating fleet movements and monitoring enemy activities.
Tarlen gestured to the central holographic display, which expanded to show the entire Unknown Regions territory. Red indicators marked enemy positions and recent attack sites. "The Theocratic Dominion has been the most aggressive, as you noted. They've conducted seventeen raids on our border worlds in the past four months alone. Their fleets typically number between ten to twenty thousand ships per engagement, but our intelligence suggests they have bigger fleets."
Looking at the tactical display, Daimon could tell what the Theocratic Dominion was doing. "They're probing for weaknesses. Testing response times and defensive capabilities. Have they attempted any major territorial conquests?"
"Not yet, My Lord. Their raids focus on destroying infrastructure and capturing civilians for conversion. They view this war as a holy mission to purge what they call our 'false faith' from the galaxy."
"Religious fanatics are the most dangerous kind of enemy," Sera observed, having joined them in the command center. "They don't do things the same way rational people would do things."
"Which is precisely why we'll strike at the heart of their belief system," Daimon said, zooming the display to focus on the Theocratic Dominion's core territories. "Their capital world, Kalyndra Prime. That's where their High Theocrat resides, where their most sacred temples stand. We destroy that and cause their entire faith-based command structure to collapse. But remember this is a holy war so we will also be wiping their faith out of existence."
One of the Rakatan officers spoke up hesitantly. "My Lord, Kalyndra Prime is heavily fortified. Our intelligence suggests orbital defense platforms numbering in the thousands, plus a standing defense fleet of at least three hundred thousand ships. The planet itself is protected by multiple shield layers and ground-based weapons systems that rival anything the Republic has deployed."
"Good," Daimon replied, "Then they'll have gathered their best forces in one location for me to eliminate. What about the other empires? The Kingdom of Rylothis and the Coalition of Free Stars?"
Tarlen moved the display to show the other two empires' territories. "The Kingdom has been more cautions. They've launched several attacks against our outlying systems but retreat when faced with significant resistance. Their King, Valorian III, appears to be testing our defenses while conserving his forces for larger engagements."
"A traditionalist," Grand Admiral Caedus noted. "He'll commit to a decisive battle only when he believes he has overwhelming advantage. We can use that tactic against him."
"The Coalition of Free Stars is the most unpredictable," Tarlen continued. "Being a confederation of independent systems, their military commitment varies wildly. Some member worlds have sent full battle fleets while others provide minimal support. Their coordination is poor, but they compensate through sheer diversity of tactics and ship designs."
Daimon studied the tactical information, already formulating a strategy in his mind. The three empires had made a critical mistake by joining the Republic's war effort. They had exposed themselves to Imperial retaliation while gaining nothing in return except some promises from Coruscant.
"We'll divide our campaign into three phases," Daimon announced, causing all present to focus their attention on him. "Phase one: we annihilate the Theocratic Dominion completely. No negotiation, no mercy. Their religious extremism makes them incompatible with Imperial governance. We'll make an example of them that the other two empires will witness."
"Phase two: we offer the Kingdom of Rylothis terms of surrender. If they still want to fight after witnessing what happened to the Theocratic Dominion, then I will conquer their Kingdom and annex them directly into the Imperium. If their King has some form of wisdom, then he will accept my terms if not then he will be killed alongside the rest of the nobles and leaders."
"Phase three: the Coalition of Free Stars will be dissolved. Their confederation structure is inherently unstable, which makes them unreliable as either allies or vassals. We'll offer individual member worlds the choice between Imperial integration or independence under strict non-aggression treaties. Those who refuse both options will be conquered."
Prince Malrik, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Father, what about the Varraxian Technocracy? They've remained neutral so far, but their territory borders both the Coalition and the Kingdom."
"The Technocracy understands the value of pragmatism," Daimon replied. "They've stayed neutral because they recognize that joining this war would only result in their destruction. Once we've eliminated the other three empires, the Technocracy will be left alone as they did not join the war. They are also the only one of the three to stay relatively neutral with us."
Prince Malrik nodded. This was a good outcome as the Imperium was only fighting a defensive war, and to turn it into an offensive war would not look throughout history.
Tarlen was about to pull additional intelligence reports, but he was interrupted by blaring alarms.
"Alert…Alert large enemy invasion fleet detected within the Ossara system," the command center's AI announced urgently. "Theocratic Dominion signatures confirmed. Fleet strength approximately four hundred thousand ships and they are advancing on the orbital defenses now."
"How far is Ossara from here?" Daimon asked, already moving toward the exit.
"Three hours by conventional hyperspace," Tarlen replied. "The system has a standing defense force of fifty thousand ships and orbital platforms, but they'll be overwhelmed within the hour if they don't receive reinforcements."
"Daimon, we could use the wormhole ability again," Sera suggested. "Get there before the defenses fall."
"We will," Daimon said.
They continued back to the hanger where they boarded the Luminary while Archon Tarlen and his staff boarded their flagship.
20 minutes later after preparation and getting all the ships lined up, Daimon opened up the wormhole in front of the entire fleet again. This time though, he could feel the drain that the ability had. Opening such a large wormhole and then holding until the entire fleet got through was a constant drain on even him.
But he managed to push through with sheer willpower until every ship managed to get through.
The Imperial fleet emerged from the wormhole to find the Ossara system already engulfed in battle. Explosions lit up the void as Theocratic Dominion ships fired on the orbital defense platforms. The Rakatan defenders were fighting valiantly, but their formations were already beginning to collapse under the overwhelming numerical superiority.
"Tactical assessment," Grand Admiral Caedus demanded as the bridge crew scrambled to process the battlefield data.
"Enemy fleet composition: four hundred thousand vessels, mostly heavy cruisers and battleships. They've deployed in a standard crusader formation with their command vessels protected at the center. The Rakatan defense forces have lost thirty percent of their orbital platforms and are down to thirty-seven thousand operational ships."
Daimon studied the enemy formation for only a moment before making his decision. "All ships, battle formation Omega-Seven. I will initiate battle meditation, and we will destroy the enemy." ordered Daimon.
Battle meditation was a common thing throughout the Imperium and was taught in all military academies. Each enlisted Imperial soldier had to go through it at least once to get the feeling of it.
Once the battle meditation took over, the Imperial forces began to charge forward with a renewed vigor as they were filled with the power of their god-emperor. Within the cockpits of the starfighters, the pilots screamed war cry's as they advanced upon the infidels of the Imperium.