In the middle of Celestia V stood the Ceremonial Avenue, a long roadway leading to the administrative tower of the lunar colony, shadowed on both sides by long streams of crystal clear water. As Mike and Krystal were slowly being brought to the avenue in a motorcade, Marines and soldiers of the fleet began to line up to form a perfect wall of men, leading all the way to the administrative tower. The ground shook as even two of the fleet's Strom-class titans, the same towering monsters that could bring down nations on their own, took position on both sides of the avenue.
In a hurry, Admiral Casey O'Brian and Vice-Admiral Hui arrived at the edge of the avenue, nervously waiting to meet their leader after so long. In his ceremonial suit that barely held around his beer belly, Casey wiped the sweat off his head, worried that Mike would be unsatisfied with his management of the fleet. Meanwhile, Hui also looked around anxiously before settling his gaze on Forgemaster Benedict for reassurance. Yet, as cold and cynical as he is, Benedict nevertheless made the effort to assure Hui with a slight nod of his head.
As Mike's car finally stopped in front of the men, they immediately dropped to one knee and lowered their heads before the door was even opened. When the car's master servitor finally opened the door for Mike, the two chief honours guards of the Marines turned toward the row of men that stretched into the horizon and slammed their warhammers against the ground.
[Chief honour guards] - "The Lord has arrived! "
Yelled the two men in unison.
"Welcome home, Grand Knight, Lord of the World Forger, Regent of the National Empire! "
Screamed every single man in response.
The sound was deafening as the voice of nearly one hundred thousand men united to form one single coherent phrase that echoed through the cities. With deafening roars, the titans, small or big, roared their apocalyptic warhorns before bowing their massive bodies toward Mike's direction. In the sky, the two mother carriers of the World Forgers flashed their billions of lights as a way to show their own cheer at Mike's return.
Before even acknowledging the whole show, Mike first turned toward the inside of the car and helped Krystal disembark by taking her hand. As Krystal saw the whole show, even though it wasn't her first time, it nevertheless never ceased to amaze her in its sheer display of scale and power. The same fleet that could annihilate civilizations is now bowing in unison toward the direction of a single man. Whether it be machines of apocalyptic destruction, men engineered to tear down the wall of tomorrow or ships made to subjugate star systems, not a single being dared to lift their heads before Mike gave them the word.
[Mike] - Arise, comrades of the forge! "
Said Mike, his voice echoing through the ranks like a gust of wind.
[Casey] - "We are grateful for your return, Lord Grand Knight. "
Said Casey as he extended his hand toward Mike.
[Mike] - "It's been quite a long time, I can tell, old friend. You even forgot to let go of such formalities. "
[Casey] - "We thought you was dead, man! I can't help but feel a bit shaken up seeing ya come back. "
Said Casey with an awkward smile.
Mike also took the time to shake hands with the other leaders of the fleet. Yet, as he returned to Casey, there was a look of frustration on his face. With Mike marching ahead with Krystal, Casey, and the rest quickly followed him as he headed toward the administrative tower. As Mike passed by every formation of troops, the commanders in charge saluted their leader by stating their units.
"The men of the 12th Marine Division salute you, Lord! "
Said Marine General Nimbus.
"The men of the 18th Marine Division welcome your return, Lord! "
Said another Marine General.
"The helldivers of the 2nd Marine Division are ready to be of service to you, Lord! "
Said Marine General Epsilon.
With each unit, Mike took his time to salute the men back with a hand gesture. Yet, Casey and Hui were both growing more and more nervous by the minute as they watched the refusal of the cold frustration on Mike's face to dissipate. Meanwhile, at the back of the line, Hyperion accompanied Ari as they followed the main group in silence.
[Ari] - "How are you even allowed to follow us all the way here? "
Whispered Ari as she watched Hyperion stroll beside her unbothered.
[Hyperion] - "It's a long story. In theory, I should've been a Marine General by now, but I chose to remain a Captain. So while I technically should not be allowed, everyone knows my story well enough to let me have a free pass. "
Said Hyperion in a casual tone.
[Ari] - "That's... That's not how it works! What kind of loose military standard even is this? "
Said Ari, confused by Hyperion's words.
[Hyperion] - "If we got the time, I don't mind telling you my story. By the end of it, you'll understand why I get exclusive rights. "
Said Hyperion with a smirk.
Meanwhile, after a solid hour of walking, Mike finally reached the end of the line and entered the main tower. At first, it seemed as if the group had traversed into a large circular hall with airplane chairs. Yet, as everyone settled into their seats, the room soon revealed itself to be a massive space elevator cabin that took them across the building's length. By the time they finally reached the top, the party moved into a conference room already prepared for them in advance. As the men were settling down, with Mike and Krystal seated at the front of the large rectangular conference table, the door to the room was shut behind them.
There was a silence for a solid moment as Mike observed the ministers and war leaders in the room. Then, with thundering anger, Mike sat up and struck his armrest with his fist.
[Mike] - "I specifically ordered ceremonies to be held three days after! Yet, you ignored my orders and went ahead with this welcoming ceremony. "
Said Mike with anger and authority in his voice.
The men swallowed hard, with Casey and Hui especially pulling at their collars in panic to let their breath catch up.
[Mike] - "I needed the news of my return concealed so those on Earth could not have the time to prepare. Yet, where I specifically ordered every single one of my contacts, trusted Captains and Marines of the fleet, to not spread this news, I was disappointed on every turn. Now, even you, my loyal Admirals, administrators, and generals, could not show the least of integrity and respect for direct orders! "
Yelled Mike, his voice echoing through the room.
Like children being scolded by their parents, the men in this room, even though at times decades older than Mike, still bowed their heads in shame.
[Casey] - "We apologize, Lord... We allowed our emotions to blind our judgment. "
Said Casey as he stood up, his head lowered apologetically.
[Mike] - "Sit down! I wasn't finished! "
Casey immediately complied as he sat back down. Seeing how the mood soured so quickly, Krystal tried to calm Mike down by pulling on his coat, but he immediately moved away from her to continue his barrage uninterrupted.
[Mike] - "Do you people realize what you have done? Where we could surprise the enemy, thanks to this ceremony, people in the city will know of my return. People talk, and information spreads. Now, those opposed to us on Earth will react. If they decide to resist us, who will pay? Huh? Tell me, my old comrades, who? "
Yelled Mike while beginning to walk around the table to make his presence felt behind every single man.
[Hui] - "The Marines and men of the fleet. "
Uttered Hui, a look of shame on his face.
[Mike] - "You all knew then! Because of your failure, I will have to see many of the very men I had saluted just a moment ago dead in a few days when we retake the Earth! "
Yelled Mike, his voice ending with the effect of a thunderstrike, making many men jolt in their seats.
By now, Mike arrived behind the seats of Casey and Hui.
[Mike] - "Even if they decide to flee into the depths of space with Valentine's help instead of confronting us, people will pay. The colonies we erected during the Crusade will pay when they make it their homes; the soldiers and Marines we left to garrison these worlds will bleed. And that's not to mention if one day, they return, our next generations will pay for our mistakes. "
Yelled Mike as he shook the seats of his two Admirals.
Finally realizing why Mike had such an outburst and seeing how he had made his point clear, Krystal stood up to add a few words.
[Krystal] - "Marines, soldiers, crew, they are people as much as we are. We should never sacrifice their lives for our own convenience. The Lord's point is clear: we have made a disastrous mistake. Yet, what he expects of you is how you will respond to this disaster! Instead of looking ashamed and staying silent, please, use your genius and come up with plans of action! We are the World Forgers; we solve problems, we do not dwell in them! "
Exclaimed Krystal while holding her hands against her chest.
The room shuddered from Krystal's words as all eyes turned toward her. It was the first time she had ever made such a bold speech in front of the World Forgers assembly. Where Mike's words were industrial, cold, and condemning like the war machine he represented, Krystal's words were compassionate, hopeful, and inspiring like the humanity she treasured. For a moment, the room was hesitant about their reaction, with even Krystal herself looking slightly unsure of herself. However, as Mike stepped beside her and clapped for her, the men also immediately followed their leader's example and accepted her words wholeheartedly with a standing ovation.
[Benedict] - "Blood reforged in gold, world cast in carbon! "
Uttered Benedict while raising his ornate hammer.
The room quickly followed Benedict's example and shouted the motto of the fleet in unison. Meanwhile, turning toward Krystal, Mike showed a proud smile as she managed to convey the soul of his message in a way he could not recreate. As Mike raised his hand, the cheers in the room quickly quieted down.
[Mike] - "With that said, my comrades, let this meeting begin in all honesty. "
And so began the creation of Mike's plan for the new world to come. Unlike other governments, the World Forgers operated with the same efficiency as the chain of command in a professional military. The moment Mike makes a decision, the order is assigned to either a civilian or military department, where a leading figure will be tasked with the completion of said directive, with a dedicated squad of his own and appropriately allocated resources to his project. This way, no order will end up tangled in a bureaucratic mess, with clean directions and objectives.
First, Admiral Casey and Hui will be tasked with the organization of the World Forgers fleets into a combat-ready condition for their impending invasion of Earth and eradication of all the leftover mess of Apogee's old Empire. Then, Hyperion, alongside many other Captains of the elite 1st Division, will be tasked with scouting the forces in opposition to the World Forgers, as well as determining the loyalty of the fleets in play. Then, General Epsilon will be tasked with an assault on the capital of the Allied Empire with the goal of dismantling the leftover of Jagger's abominable dominion. Coincidentally, the likes of Dunkel and Admiral Jack will be added to a special list of targets to be captured alive and brought to trial.
Finally, as for the civilian ministers, Mike ordered them to prepare for the transition of the existing Empires and kingdoms on Earth under the rule of the World Forgers. No more tyrants and self-proclaimed Gods, only a fair Empire that embodied the true values of the old National Empire could exist by the time Mike is done. He will reignite the dreams that had died with Michele's downfall, realize the promises told as lies by Apogee, and cleanse the world of rot once and for all.
Meanwhile, just as foretold, Judge and his New National Empire were in a state of panic as soon as his spies on the Moon transmitted the news of Mike's return. As hard as it was to believe, the footage of the welcoming ceremony and the simultaneous shift of the fleet from defensive posture into that of offence silenced most of the doubt in Judge's inner circle. It was clear; they were going to be wiped off the face of this earth, whether they resisted or not.
Throughout the years, Valentine had already moved many fleets across the stars to ease the frictions between them. At the moment when Judge received the news, at least seven fleets that declared loyalty to Apogee were already garrisoning the faraway star systems, either licking their wounds or fighting the vengeful Antinoids who were still harassing the human colonies. Or in Valentine's case, building their own distant empire in secret.
As Judge walked through his palace, chaos was all there was as men ran around carrying assets that needed to be evacuated. With a bitter gaze at the transport ships that were leaving the nearby hangar through a window, Judge turned away and closed his eyes, knowing his reign had come to an end and Apogee's vision along with it. Suddenly, Valentine appeared behind Judge and tapped on his shoulder.
[Judge] - "Well? How is the evacuation? "
Said Judge as he turned toward Valentine.
[Valentine] - "I've just finished letting most of the World Bearers pass through the portal. However, we still have many fleets waiting to go through. "
Said Valentine, an exhausted look on his face.
Judge began to walk with Valentine while Marines rushed past them, carrying whole cast-steel safes on their shoulders without effort.
[Judge] - "Let the 20th fleet go through next, followed by the 11th. Focus the evacuation on those who are the most loyal to our cause. "
[Valentine] - "What of the 1st fleet, they are one of the most loyal after all. "
[Judge] - "Their defensive expertise will buy us some time to evacuate. I've also placed those who were not so loyal to die on the frontline before the 1st gets engaged in battle. I will depart soon with the remnants of the 3rd, so I leave the rest of the evacuation to you. "
Said Judge as a personal cart drove to him.
As the Ragnarok Marine on the cart jumped down and helped Judge carry his luggage, Judge turned toward Valentine with a spiteful expression in his eyes.
[Judge] - "Make sure the 1st fleet gets through at the end. As for the others, take what you can, but if not, let them pay for not showing loyalty to Lord Apogee and me; let them burn under the World Forgers' batteries. The Grand Knight can reclaim Earth, but he will rule a wasteland. "
Said Judge as he stepped onto the cart and sat down.
[Valentine] - "Before you go, for my help, as promised, you will deliver to me the rare metals and materials I had demanded as payment, right? "
Said Valentine, his voice neutral to hide his true intentions.
[Judge] - "You will be compensated for your effort, but don't push your luck. "
Said Judge in an attempt to remind Valentine of his place.
However, Valentined simply smirked, unfazed by Judge's empty threats.
[Valentine] - "If I can manage to get you the 11th and 20th intact, without any loss, would you be able to compensate me with double what you promised? "
Said Valentine boldly, without an ounce of fear in his hungry eyes.
Judge grunted in his seat, his eyes burning with hate as he stared at Valentine. It was not just a deal; it was pure coercion. Valentine knew he alone could teleport the fleets to other star systems. Without him, the remainder of the forces loyal to Judge will be at the mercy of Mike's cannons. Judge is not the one in control here; Valentine is, and he will use this opportunity to squeeze his Empire dry.
[Valentine] - "There's a price for a passage without interruption, delay or unexpected accidents. The Grand Knight will be here within days, so what's your choice? Will it be normal shipping or express shipping? "
Said Valentine in a taunting voice.
As much as Judge wanted to order his Marine to blast Valentine to shreds, he knew he had no other choice but to accept his horrible terms. With trembling hands, Judge gripped the handle of his cart until his skin turned white before taking a huge breath to calm himself.
[Judge] - "Get my damn fleets to Bastion Prime in one piece and I shall accept your price! But know this, Valentine, you will pay! You will pay for making a profit off Apogee's legacy! "
Yelled Judge in anger before he kicked his driver.
In a jolt, the driver quickly started the vehicle and drove away. As Valentine watched the cart disappear at the end of the hallway, a massive shadow slowly positioned itself behind him.
[Maurader Marine] - "Your ship is ready, Leader. "
Said the towering mass of black armour behind Valentine.
[Valentine] - "It's about time! Hurry, we do not have much time on our hands! "
As Valentine walked, he was joined by another one of his Blitz Marines who was waiting in the dark this whole time. With the signature sharp design of Huge Boss on his armour, this Marine distinguished himself above the rough look of his fellow men in the 5th fleet.
[Konigsburg] - "Another successful negotiation, mein Führer? "
Said Konigsburg, 1st Marine General of the Blitz Marines.
[Valentine] - "Of course, mein freud. An empire is not built on hesitation and soft diplomacy. There are no hard bargains, only cowardly negotiators. "
Said Valentine as he walked in front of the group.
Later, in the sky, Judge watched with bated breath through the bridge of his destroyer as the massive ship passed through what seemed to be a tear in space, which led to a never-before-seen planet on the other side. As the last of the World Bearers fleet passed through the portal, the scar abruptly shut itself. On the other side, meanwhile, Judge arrived at Bastion Prime, a planet similar to Earth situated nearly 800 light-years away, at the edge of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.
Around the orbit of the planet, the fleet carriers of the World Bearers and Ashen Storms were already waiting for the ground personnel to finish building a base of operation below. But the men were not hopeful; they were bitter. They were supposed to rule Earth, not escape to some unknown star systems to live out the rest of their days in exile.
As the sky cracked once again with the same scar that had brought them here in the first place, the first ships of the Angels of the Ragnarok began to appear through the spatial anomaly. Yet, with a short glimpse at the Earth on the other side, many men silently swore inside their hearts to return to Earth and reclaim what is rightfully their home. One day, they will return, even if it means the galaxy will burn for it.
To be continued...