Star Warden 3: CC. Chapter 13

 

Sentinel Online

Rogue planets are worlds that exist in the space between star systems. Trillions of them exist throughout the galaxy. On one such rogue planet, a ship began powering up. Crew members rushed to their posts. Engines flared to life and weapons batteries rose from their slumber. Other ships hiding on the ground or in low atmosphere began to do the same as they received their orders.

Orders from Rear Admiral Sabine of the Centauri Imperial Navy. The first uplifted animal to hold such a rank. She was an old dog of the breed known as a Siberian Husky. She was the product of human research into uplifted animals for military purposes. While many of her compatriots left the service she stayed and eventually gained flag officer rank. Her plans were to have a nice comfy patrol assignment in her twilight years. 

The Stygian Domain put an end to those plans. Many in the empire, including herself, at first believed it to be another warlord putting on airs. She knew the type who believed because they had a few capital ships, makeshift fighters, and armies of slaves. That they could be treated seriously among respectable nations. Those preconceptions had been thrown violently out the airlock after years of fighting in the Coalition War.

The war was an attempt by the Centauri Empire to defeat the machine invaders. By creating a united front against the Domain. A difficult prospect as the monarchs of the Cirrus Galaxy were known to keep their noses out of each other's business. An attitude backed up with weapons fire on many occasions. Unless connected by family or convinced with monetary or political inducement. Pirates, warlords, and monsters attacking a world that was not their own were met at best with sympathy or at worst with apathy.

She wasn't against the idea of staying out of others' affairs when not wanted. But she believed many realms took it too far. Though she also knew some imperial military officials who believed the empire should rule the galaxy. Which was too far in the other direction. No, a balance was needed. Though she had no idea what policies, were needed to make that goal possible that she left that up to the nobility.

Despite this, the Empire managed to forge a coalition of worlds to oppose Daimos. Made up of various kingdoms and groups such as the Baron's Alliance and the League of Non-Aligned Realms, a loose confederation of worlds and space habitats united under the banner of not wanting to be ruled by a single king or to be a part of any other nations. Thanks to the silent aid of the Argent Templars in convincing many to see the growing threat. Daimos's propaganda speeches helped as well. Many lords did not approve of the idea of this new republic which called for the end of monarchy and aristocracy.

Ironic coming from someone who still called himself a Lord. But politics and hypocrisy are old bedfellows.

The Coalition War ended in failure. The Domain was absolutely ruthless in prosecuting the war, taking advantage of the fact that the galaxy had little to no intelligence on them. Their early victories backed up with horrific atrocities, scared many words to abandon the Coalition in the hope they would be spared. Sometimes worlds would fall from within thanks to ambitious nobles taking advantage of the chaos or misguided revolutionaries who truly believed in Daimos and his new republic.

This happened to the Baron's Alliance which was famous for the fractious and duplicitous nature of its leaders. But the League stayed united and loyal for the duration of the war. These worlds put up a brave fight to the bitter end but ultimately the Domain was triumphant. Sabine had been in many conflicts and she had seen some dark acts. But the brutal pragmatism of the machines still haunted her nights. Even the Warlords had conducted themselves with some regard to the rules of modern warfare.

When the Argent Templars fell into disarray, thanks to Lorcan giving up his knowledge of Templar bases to the Domain. The Centauri Empire sued for peace giving up territory, paying reparations in the form of raw materials, and decreasing the military. With observers placed on their worlds to ensure they followed through. A treaty created by fearful nobles calling themselves the National Emergency Commission that forced the Emperor to sign the treaty and then was declared "mentally unfit."  A palace coup in all but name. 

But not all in the Empire were ready to surrender. Many in the Empire through the use of unsavory allies like smugglers were able to aid rebels on other worlds. Along with supplying kingdoms built-in asteroid worlds or cylinder colonies to resist invasion or infiltration. When the Templars re-organized they were able to improve those efforts while continuing to gather intelligence on the Domain. The Alfheim Freehold kept themselves neutral to avoid the Domain's wrath while secretly readying their own forces. Alongside secretly making a refuge for those who opposed the Dark Lord.

Now the time of secrecy had come to an end. No longer would she be forced to watch abuse after abuse while having her paws tied behind her back by legalities. Her honor would be satisfied that she did the right thing. Even if it meant she would face the gallows if she ever returned home.

"Damn the consequences."

She looked at the console a mix of Imperial and Freehold designs. All ships in the fleet were reporting green. Her paw activated the all-fleet communication line.

“All ships, sailors and marines of His Majesty's Imperial Navy. This is Admiral Sabine. You all know why you are here. You know what we must do. From this point forward it is either victory or death. Retreat is not an option for any of us. So when the battle begins I want all of you to think about victory.  Victory is the first step in bringing freedom to trillions and stopping the darkness threatening to swallow us all. Victory will bring hope and remind the galaxy that evil can and will be defeated! Action stations!"

There was not one cry or cheer just a silent and stoic salute to their Admiral.

The fleet took formation and divided into two groups. One to attack and the other held in reserve. Sabine's flagship Hound of Ulster leads the first group. Charging up their Bifrost drives and shifted into virtual space. Streaming straight through to Aetherium.

******

Daimos looked over the information on the holographic screen. His Warlocks had removed the Keeper's wards and the SWAT-bots searched the underground. All at the same time looking through Father Bruno's notes and the records held in the Tuatha archives. When one of the SWAT-bots located the node he quickly found a match. The Planetary Defense Network code-named Sentinel.

Bruno's records state that the defense network was taken offline completely. Due to sabotage and holo-demons in its system. It was clear that the Keepers lacked the means to reactivate it. But then why hide it by placing wards before leaving? One thought was that they believed that Daimos could re-activate it.

Which was not outside the realm of possibility. If Daimos had desired it he could figure out a way to re-activate it for his own use. But according to the notes, this was designed by the College of Sages. That suggested there was magic involved in this construct or it possibly had a connection to the Codex. It was at that moment a secondary thought came into his data streams.

Before he could expand on the brief thought, Sonia altered him to a Tachyon surge. The tell-tale sign of FTL travel.

“Gateways opening in close proximity to our orbital defenses. Signatures report Centauri ships. Numbers consistent with a full system fleet.”

“Tactical display.” A new screen materialized. Reports were consistent. A full Centauri Fleet with vessels in the hundreds had arrived. Energy spikes were recorded as the fleet and the automated orbital defenses exchanged fire.

“Master,” said Sonia. “We are being hailed from the Centauri's lead ship.

“By all means answer it.”

A third screen appeared with the face of a dog.

“Admiral Sabine? What a pleasant surprise,” Daimos said putting on his most polite airs. “I believe the last time we met you were a guest of mine.”

“Yes, Lord Consul. I remember the “privilege” of being your “guest” during your atrocities.”

“You are referring to the events on Canto Beta.” Daimos chuckled. Causing the Admiral to growl. “My intention was to leave an example for you to remember what happens to those who oppose me. It appears not to have worked."

"Those who use fear as a weapon are easily disarmed." 

"So you've come here for personal vengeance?"

"No, I've come here on behalf of his Imperial Majesty. The Centauri Empire declares war on the Stygian Domain. No longer will you will be allowed to reign unchecked."

Daimos held back a laugh. “Interesting notion. I've been informed that the Empire declared you as a rogue. Thus you have no authority to declare war in any official capacity. I will give you one chance. Power down your weapons and surrender your ships and I will ignore this ugly incident. Even send you to be tried in Imperial Court.

“I will not be subjected to a miscarriage of justice by your sycophants,” She barked with all of her might. “I will fight to the bitter end!”

“What a fool you are and your allies are. Very well fight on till the bitter end. For a bitter end, you will have!.” Daimos ended the transmission.

The tactical screen changed as another tachyon burst was recorded. Data showed these were Alfheim ships. Daimos remembered those archaically designed rocket craft. The Freehold seems to take the idea of space being an ocean literally. As their craft looked no different from ships of the line in an old wet navy.

Gateways would open up near Aetherium as the Domain's fleet would enter to challenge the elves and humans. The Centauri would launch rocket pods and assault shuttles that weaved through the anti-orbital defenses and attack Pandemonium. Imperial Marines landed in the city and began their missions with the shuttles providing air support.

They quickly learned that they weren't attacking a city but a living entity. Fireteams and full squads ended up under fire from multiple directions. Mines exploded beneath their feet, auto-turrets fired from concealed positions. SWAT-bots moved throughout the city using their knowledge along with hidden entrances and exits to surprise the marines from the side and behind. All of this was done without a command from Daimos.

The Tyrant of Aetherium had a fully prepared automated defense network. Its code refined over the years to be prepared for any and all planetary threats. Soon it would be a part of a larger multi-agent system that would spread across the galaxy. A system that would operate the government bureaucracy of the Stygian Domain, no organic influence required. Leaving Daimos free to focus his processing power on other matters.

Speaking of other matters, his processor went back to the topic of Sentinel. When another alert crossed his feed. Gloriana was under heavy attack from rebel forces. Ahrimus was sending information that Falstaff's guard had turned and joined the rebels. Gloriana's defensive guns were down thanks to internal betrayal and attacks by the Marauders which was joined by a Templar command ship called Thunderclaw.

Nightshade came flying in screaming but he ignored her. His central processor laid out all the facts. The attack on Pandemonium and in orbit was a diversion. Arranged by the Templars to keep him from focusing on Gloriana. Gloriana was also a distraction at least for the most part. It was all noise to keep him away from the true prize. The Star Warden re-activating the planetary defense network.

That was the most likely reason why one of the rings was left on Aetherium. Even if that was not the case. The Star Warden would still use the Cosmic Ring to activate it so he could use it against him. 

"The insects couldn't even try to make it difficult for me. Did they really believe that I wouldn't see through them if they used the same strategy? This is just a repeat of the battle at Monmouth Castle."

“Yeah you tell them, Master,” said Nightshade.

Daimos knew there was only one place Sam could go to activate Sentinel. Down. A quick check of Bruno's notes confirmed that the system core was built underground. The information from Ramia's archives corroborated that. A silent command brought the SWAT-Bot Mark 2s online. He sent one group to attack the Marines in Pandemonium. Let them think he's responding to the obvious.

Then he opened a gateway to Gloriana. First, he hunted down and eliminated the perfidious royal guard. After that, he put Ahrimus in charge and rallied his forces around the palace. To force the rebels to assault it directly and keep his forces protected under the anti-aircraft plasma batteries. His last action was to then command his defense network to make Gloriana a top priority which would deploy reinforcements to the city.

A drilling machine in the palace's garage came to life. It exited the garage only for it to be attacked by the plasma ordinance of the Argent Templars. The Dark Lord engaged the Templars and while they put up fierce resistance. They could not overcome the sadistic brutality of the Prince of Steel and were slain mercilessly.

Free of threats, the drilling machine began boring into the palace's gardens clearing the way for Daimos to travel to the system core.

If he had a face. The smile of a slasher killer would have formed. “History repeats only this time the sun will not save you, Samuel Bailey."

Chapter 14

Chapter 12