While the Dark Angels fleet had arrived at the Alpha Centauri system the Iron Warriors fleet was en route to the Polaris Star System. While Alpha Centauri was closer, Polaris was an important system as it was the star of Thanagar.
Thanagar is one of the biggest Nth Metal deposits in the Milky Way and it was a material that Justinian desired at all costs. Currently, Honsou the Legion Master of the Iron Warriors sat on his Command Throne on his vessel, The Black Iron, a massive 32-mile vessel with more guns and armor than other vessels.
On the side, it had a double-headed Dragon the Draconica representing the Imperium of Justinian. The AI of the Black Iron communicated to Honsou and the rest of his Honor Guard.
"We are approaching the Polaris System. The Emperor had requested for us to prioritize control of the planet itself over compliance. Preservation of life is not a requirement as long as proper genetic samples can be collected."
Honsou pondered on that as it made sense from a strategic sense. Thanagar has a resource coveted by many and it was worth more than the entire Thanagarian race. If the planet could not be taken peacefully, killing them all and cloning a new population would be far more beneficial.
"Here are my orders, forget compliance. We will take the planet by force even if we have to exterminate the current population. When we are done, we will collect a wide variety of genetic samples to clone a better replacement population. Inform the fleet Typhon."
"Sir."
Honsou stood up causing his towering Mech Suit to shimmer with the potent alloys made in its construction. He walked forward as his vessel and the rest of the 350 vessels of his fleet began to emerge from Hyper Drive.
When that happened, Typhon increased the tint on the Transparasteel as the Polaris Star was extremely bright. Through that, everyone with Honsuo could see just how close the planet was to its star.
The star being called a harsh star was not false. However, among those in the command bridge, a few Kryptonians basked in the bright light of the star. This was not something anyone in the Fleet knew, but Justinian had read a particular DC Comic Book.
It was called Thanagar Rann War which was why the Dark Angels would attack Rann in the Centauri System, while the Iron Warriors would take the Polaris System. Around Honsou was not just his Honor Guard, but giant Space Marines in massive mech suits.
There were also a few curled-up Predakons, and standing by the massive doors were two Krorks. Krorks were part of every fleet as some of Justinian's best creations.
The basking in the light of Polaris ended when one of Honsou's Honor Guard rested her giant Gatling Bolter on her shoulder.
"The Emperor has demanded swift subjugation of this world. What are your orders, Legion Master? Will we use a virus bomb or bombardment from space?"
Honsou broke his silence as he turned to her.
"No Virus Bombs, it will destroy all life and all genetic samples for cloning. No, a planet-side bombardment will suffice. Typhon, prepare for a planet-side bombardment. I want the entire fleet to rain hell on them.
We will soften them up and then we shall drop vie Teleporters and Drop Pods. I want every Scion, Jackel, Krok, Kryptonian, Eldar, and Predakon ready to drop down. Begin the operation."
"Yes, Legion Master."
The Fleet then began to fly toward Thannagar which was beyond close to their sun. If not for the high technology of the Thanagarians and the Nth metal they used in all of their technology, their planet would have turned into a molten fireball long ago.
However, when the planet began to detect the gigantic fleet the forces of Thanagar began to prepare for battle. Thannagar was a planet of slavers as they constantly invaded other worlds and now it was time for them to be invaded.
Before they could mount a proper defense, the Black Iron and the rest of the fleet began to fire a constant stream of ordinance. Each vessel was equipped with a main Black Hole Gravity Gun, but those weapons were too destructive.
Instead, a stream of high-explosive missiles, Plasma discharge, or even Nuclear Torpedos slammed into the planet. They focused on City Centers which were in contained Domes to protect from the radiation of Polaris.
Already from orbit, it appeared the initial bombardment had done its job. Honsou watched it all with cold logic as he and his Legion would take this planet for the Emperor. Honsou turned his head to his Chief librarian a giant Space Marine. He was a rare Warrior with Psychic and Magical abilities that even exceeded most Shapers.
Especially after he had received the blessing of Justinian himself. On his chest burned a bright golden two-headed dragon. Very few received this blessing from the God Emperor, but this Martian earned his
Honsuo now had orders for him.
"Teradeb, move the planet further from the star."
The giant Librarian moved forward and he held his open hand out to the planet. He grinned as through the power of his mind he began to drag Thanagar from the orbit of Polaris.
Despite the initial bombardment of the planet, some Thanagarians started to fly out on their ships or merely by their wings. Honsuo felt this was foolish so he gave his orders.
"Release the Predakons."
Throughout the fleet, the lower hulls of the ships began to open and from them emerged several hundred Predakons. The creatures took off into the void before they flew toward the Star Ships attacking the fleet.
The Predakons destroyed everything with massive bursts of fire that even burned in the void, or they merely tore ships apart with their wings, talons, and jaws. The entire fleet watched in savage glee as their Predakons which were being guided by the fleet's Beast Master devastated the Thanagarian's resistance.
At one point, a particularly large Predakon incinerated an entire battalion with a single breath of his purple flame. When that happened, Honsou felt it was time.
"I want all Krorks, Eldar, and Jackels to prepare for Drop Pod Assault. Marines, Kryptonians, and Insectoids prepare for a teleportation assault. I want this planet by the hour.
---
All across the fleet, a chorus of roars and cheers emerged as the Legion of the Iron Warriors prepared for their first true conquest. Among the 350 ships, the Krorks, the best front liners moved along the Tepestus Scions, Psian Jackels, and Eldar moved toward the large Drop Pods.
They moved in quickly with silent efficiency, and with space expansion spells each drop pod could contain over 100,000 troops and the fleet had thousands of such drop pods.
Once the troops were inside these drop pods, Teradeb the Chief Librarian angled the planet itself to make it easier for the drop pods to fall. Honsuo then gave the order that the fleet needed.
"Begin Drop Pod Assault."
At his order, hundreds of Drop Pods were lowered down before they were fired down at the planet. The Predakons who were dealing with the ships of the Thanagarians began to follow the drop pods by tucking their wings and falling like artificial meteors.
They spun like living cyclones as they cut through the atmosphere to follow the Drop Pods.
---
Down bellow in the cities, after the bombardment by the fleet large portions of the population had been killed. Either by the Atomic Bombs, Rad Torpedos, or even the dreaded Phosphex which was burning across certain portions of the planet.
As Justinian had said, the population wasn't needed as long as their DNA survived. He could always clone a better and more loyal population. However, if any did survive they were to be subjugated for reeducation.
Thannagar as a slaver planet followed an Imperial doctrine to invade other planets which was Justinian's business. As such they were competitors and he would not allow anyone to keep him from controlling his Galaxy.
Speaking of Justinian, he and his Honor Guard were watching all of this. Each of his fleets had already discovered systems they were bringing into compliance rarely peacefully.
Most refused and then they were forced to comply. Once the teleport gates were opened, Justinian's troops that remained in the Solar System moved into those planets that were devastated by the Crusading Fleets.
It would take a while to bring all these worlds into true compliance, but it was a start. Justinian watched on as his fleets fought in his name expanding the Imperium as they went.
At the minimum, he wasn't slaughtering all aliens at least he was better than The Imperium in one thing. He did have to take one thing into account though. In the following decades or centuries, his Imperium would begin to be known to the wider universe. Other galaxy-controlling Empires would try to stop them and only end up destroyed by Justinian's superior forces.
Justinian from his throne was projecting what his Space Marine Fleets were doing. His little niece Eldora was sitting on his shoulders watching as The many fleets bombed different worlds that did not comply.
"BOOM!"
Remnosh turned to Justinian who had a smile on his face.
"Do you want to be out there love?"
He smirked.
"Not at all. If I go out there, my warriors will have nothing to do. I am giving them the chance to earn glory. Now, let us watch my warriors."
---
On Thanagar, as hundreds of Drop Pods slammed down into the planet, they burst open and from them towering Krorks over 40 meters tall emerged in dark green Power Armor.
Thanagarians began to fire on them with their surviving defenses causing the Void Shields to roar to life from their armor. The Krorks moved forward as they raised their massive weapons. Gause Gatling Guns, Gravity Destructors, Radiation Grenade Launchers, up to Adrathic Molecular Blasters.
These advanced weapons tore through the defenses of the Thanagarians, but anything made of Nth metal endured while their users did not. The lead Krork a giant thing standing over 60 meters tall walked forward like a Titan.
He brought his hand up to his head as he communicated to the Fleet.
"We have made Planet Fall. We will advance as head of the spear."
From the fleet, he received his answer.
"The Space Marines will be down soon, be ready."
"Affirmative."
The other Krorks roared as from the Drop Pods emerged Tempestus Scions, Psian Jackels, and Eldar. The Krorks were incredible warriors who could endure a lot thanks to the Kryptonian and Martian genes flowing through them.
That wasn't to say the other forces were weak as none of Justinian's forces were weak. All over the planet, Krorks led the assault of the land forces while massive Doomsday Arcs, Baneblades, Mastadons, and Predakons emerged from the Drop Pods.
From Space, over 500,000 Space Marines moved into Space along with their Kryptonian, and Tyranid Isectoids auxiliaries. They flew toward the planet to make sure they took the planet quickly, swiftly, and without trouble.
That was half the Legion as very few things could survive even a much smaller force of Justinian's Martians. Thanagar was won, and it was only a matter of time before many died to prolong their defenses.
---
On Rann where the Dark Angels had arrived, just like on Thanagar, the Rann people refused to join The Imperium. In response, Sammael had ordered the full invasion of the planet, and already on the surface Space Marines on foot and in the air blasted toward the cities on the irradiated surface of the planet.
"FOR THE EMPEROR!"
They fired salvo after salvo of high explosive weapons causing the sealed-off cities to begin to be exposed to the radioactive atmosphere of their home Planet. All over the planet, city after city was being taken while those who resisted were slaughtered.
Two planets that have fought a war against each other are now being taken out at the same time by Justinian's forces. Each Empire was built on oceans of blood and in the case of a Galaxy spanning empire, worlds worth of the stuff.
(P-atreon.com/A_Real_Werewolf234)