...
The Talon Star System.
In the depths of the Fortress of the Undercity, what had been an empty hall was now filled with tables, chairs, and people. Standing or seated were Caul's replicant, the shape-shifting spirit-tribe Saar, Vanessa, and the governors of each world within the Talon Sector. Together with Qin Mo, they deliberated over the Sector's defense strategy.
Joining the council through holographic projections were the commanders and captains stationed across the galaxy.
"Our fleets and regular army are fully deployed," someone said gravely. "The fighting is most intense in the Misted Sector, but we cannot rule out the possibility of an attack on Talon."
"Should that happen," Qin Mo announced, "I will activate the Extreme Mobilization Order."
The Extreme Mobilization Order, established in this very session, would put the entire sector on a wartime footing. Every resource would be directed toward the war effort; able-bodied men and women would be conscripted into planetary defense forces, while children and the disabled would be dispatched to factories alongside logistics mechs to produce weapons and ammunition.
The hall grew somber at this mention of mobilization.
"No need to tense up. It may well be that Talon escapes attack," Qin Mo said with a reassuring smile. Unspoken was a further thought: and even if not, the Leviathan Iron Guard awaits.
"So we're really, truly giving everything to support the Misted Sector," Joen remarked, glancing at Vanessa. "After all this, the High Lords' Council of Terra better bow to us in gratitude."
Joen's image, relayed from the astral engines of the distant Forge World, flickered strangely, and his voice even stuttered as he spoke.
"Why bring it up with me? I don't even have access to the High Lords," Vanessa replied flatly.
"Not the time for jests." Qin Mo shot Joen a warning glance before sweeping his gaze over the group. "Does anyone have anything further to add?"
Most shook their heads.
After a long silence, Saar raised his hand and asked in a clear voice, "Shouldn't I be going to the Cadian Gate? My task is to neutralize the Blackstone Fortress, after all."
"When the time comes, I'll ensure you can be at Cadia in an instant," Qin Mo assured him.
"Alright…" Saar sighed in resignation, sensing the continued lack of trust in him.
The others turned curious glances toward Saar, wondering why this spirit-tribe warrior cared so deeply for Cadia's plight. Since his arrival in the Talon Star System, Saar had been incessant in his requests to be sent to Cadia, even questioning why the planetary defense forces drilling in the Hive World weren't deployed there.
"Prepare the astral engines for navigation," Vanessa instructed Gray. "I can't shake this dread; it feels as if Cadia is already under attack."
"Are the astral engines yours?" Gray replied, irritated.
Realizing her tone, Vanessa bowed to Qin Mo. "Please, allow the astral engines to prepare for transit. I implore you."
Qin Mo nodded to Gray, who complied.
"Our task is simple: once Cadia is under assault, the astral engines will jump there, and all vessels will disengage from battle, jump to the engines as their destination, and arrive."
"That's all. This meeting is adjourned." Qin Mo dismissed the group with a wave, adding a few final reminders.
Just then, the doors of the hall burst open, drawing everyone's attention.
A guard rushed in, shouting, "We've received a message from the communications station! It's from the merchant ship!"
All eyes turned toward the guard.
Klein hadn't attended this meeting, and even Qin Mo was curious as to his whereabouts.
"The merchant ship relayed a message from the Lord of Cadia…" The guard, breathless, managed to announce, "Cadia requests aid!"
Vanessa tensed, her eyes shifting to Qin Mo, heart heavy with apprehension.
The hall fell silent as all waited for Qin Mo's decision.
"And Talon shall respond," Qin Mo declared, voicing the promise once made to Creed.
With these words, the hall erupted into a flurry of activity.
"Order the fleet to halt navigation and prepare to jump to the astral engines!" Adam commanded the main fleet.
"Have the astral engines jump to Cadia," Gray turned and ordered, his image vanishing from the hall.
Qin Mo gestured to Saar, "Come with me; I'll personally open the gateway to the astral engines."
Saar promptly followed Qin Mo, while Caul's replicant left to transmit a message to the original body via Talon's communications station. Vanessa prepared a ship to carry news to the Empire that Cadia had fallen under siege.
...
Docked within the Agrippina System, the astral engines were primed to enter the dimensional space, drawing energy from the Shards of the Nightbringer housed deep within their planetary core. Agonizing wails arose from the Shard's labyrinthine prison, though the maze effectively muffled them from reaching the outside.
Those aboard the astral engines only felt a vague unease, a shadow of gloom settling over them.
Just before the engines entered dimensional space, Gray stood before the bridge's main screen, sending a communication to Vik on the Forge World.
Vik's image instantly appeared on the screen.
"Cadia is under siege," Gray informed him. "I must depart immediately with the astral engines. You'll have to defend the Forge World yourself, wise one."
Vik, who had become the Sage-Lord of the Forge World, listened with quiet calm. He had not sat idle while the engines stood guard; many orbital defense platforms had been launched to the planetary perimeter. Thus, the engines' imminent departure caused him little concern.
"Proceed without worry. The Forge World is in capable hands," Vik replied, reaching for his servitor-skeleton to review its data logs. "Take with you my Titan Legion. Though newly assembled and yet untested, they are more than ready to give their lives for Omnissiah."
"Agreed," Gray nodded.
Vik immediately sent the Titan Legion's transfer order. The newly-formed Titan Legion, known as the Blades of Omnissiah, included both Titans and Knights that had been destroyed in the last war and subsequently restored with new technology.
Once the Blades of Omnissiah were transferred to the astral engines, the engines' satellite and planetary arrays entered the dimensional space.