Chapter 12: The Crusade Continues

Chapter 12: The Crusade ContinuesThe Emperor of Mankind followed His son, Franklin Valorian, through the corridors of the Imperial Palace. Despite His usual stoic demeanor, there was a hint of curiosity in His golden eyes. Franklin's enthusiasm was infectious, and even the Master of Mankind found Himself caught up in the Liberator's excitement.

"You're going to love this, Pops," Franklin grinned, leading the way to a massive hangar bay. "Consider it a little house-warming gift. Well, planet-warming, I suppose."

As the doors slid open, the Emperor's eyes widened slightly at the sight before Him. A colossal dropship dominated the hangar, its sleek lines and advanced design a stark contrast to the more brutalist Imperial aesthetic.

"Behold!" Franklin announced with a flourish. "The first of many monthly deliveries from the Independence Cluster. Our little suzerain state agreement is already bearing fruit."

The Emperor stepped forward, His psychic senses probing the dropship. "Impressive," He murmured. "The technology is..."

"Golden Age stuff, Pops," Franklin finished for Him. "We've kept the flame burning bright back home. Now, let me give you the grand tour."

As they entered the dropship, Franklin began pointing out various sections. "We've got your standard-issue weapons here - bolters, meltas, las-weapons. Good stuff, but nothing you haven't seen before. But over here..." He gestured to a sealed section. "That's where the fun begins. Advanced tech, for your eyes only. Figured you'd want to keep some of the really good toys for yourself and your golden boys."

The Emperor nodded approvingly, His gaze lingering on some of the more exotic weaponry. Franklin could almost see the wheels turning in His father's head, already deciding which of His favored Custodians would receive which pieces.

"And speaking of your golden boys," Franklin continued, leading the Emperor to the far end of the armory. "Check these out."

Before them stood a row of imposing mechsuits, their golden armor gleaming under the dropship's lights. The Emperor approached one, running His hand along its surface. "Mechsuits," He said, a note of appreciation in His voice. "For the Custodes, I presume?" Franklin nodded. "Yep. Figured they could use an upgrade. These babies could demolish dreadnoughts with ease and at maximum output could overload an Imperial Knight's Ion Shields and come out on top. Plus, they look damn cool, if I do say so myself."

The Emperor chuckled softly. "Indeed they do, my son. Your generosity is appreciated."

"Oh, but we're not done yet, Pops," Franklin said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I've saved the best for last."

He led the Emperor to the center of the room, where a pedestal stood. Upon it rested a golden gauntlet, its massive talons gleaming wickedly in the light.

"May I present," Franklin said with a theatrical bow, "the Talon of the Golden Eagle, Lord of the Skies. A fitting name for a gauntlet meant for the Emperor of Humanity, don't you think?"

The Emperor approached the gauntlet, His psychic aura flaring as He sensed the power within it. "This is... remarkable," He said, genuine awe in His voice.

Franklin beamed with pride. "Golden Age tech at its finest, Pops. The energy blade can vibrate across dimensional states, slicing through pretty much any armor known to man. Oh, and it glows gold. Because, you know, aesthetic."

The Emperor lifted the gauntlet, feeling its weight and balance. "You said it vibrates across dimensions?"

"Yep," Franklin nodded. "One of the few pieces we've managed to produce with that capability. Nasty stuff in a fight, let me tell you. Figured you could use it to, I don't know, dramatically point at things. Or slap some sense into unruly Primarchs...my brothers once you find them, Your call."

The Emperor actually laughed at that, a warm, rich sound that seemed to fill the entire dropship. "Your gift is most appreciated, Franklin. I shall wear it with pride."

As the Emperor donned the gauntlet, flexing His fingers and watching the talons glint, Franklin couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. "Looks good on you, Pops. Very regal. Very 'don't mess with humanity or I'll claw your face off'."

The Emperor turned to His son, His face softening into a smile. "Franklin, these gifts...I Appreciate it, thank you"

Franklin felt a lump form in his throat. He coughed, trying to hide his emotion. "Well, you know me, Pops. Go big or go home, right? Speaking of which, we should probably get back to those terraforming plans. Can't have the heart of the Imperium looking like a post- apocalyptic wasteland, can we?"

The Emperor nodded, a newfound energy in His bearing. "You're right, of course. There is much work to be done."

As they turned to leave the dropship, Franklin couldn't resist one last quip. "Just wait till you see next month's delivery, Pops. I'm thinking of including a nice hat. Every Emperor needs a good hat, right?"

The Emperor's laughter echoed through the hangar as they made their way back to the Palace proper, father and son united in their vision for humanity's future. And if the Talon of the Golden Eagle happened to make an appearance in the Emperor's next public address, well, that was just a happy coincidence.

In the six months following his departure from Terra, Franklin Valorian, the Liberator, turned his attention to the Galactic North. The Liberty Eagles swept through the void, bringing world after world into the Imperial fold with a unique blend of diplomacy, subterfuge, and when necessary, overwhelming firepower.

The founding of the Agrippinaa Sector became one of Franklin's crowning achievements during this period. As he gazed upon the resource-rich worlds, he saw not just potential military assets, but the backbone of a thriving industrial heartland.

"Boys," he announced to his command staff, "we're about to turn this backwater into the jewel of the Segmentum Obscurus. I'm thinking factories, shipyards, the works. Let's make the Mechanicus drool with envy!"

Over the next few weeks, Franklin personally oversaw the establishment of key infrastructure, his natural charisma and promise of prosperity winning over the local populace. The Belis Corona System, in particular, caught his eye.

"This system," he declared, pointing to a holographic map, "is going to be our anchor. Strategic location, decent resources... With a little TLC, it'll be the lynchpin of our defenses in this sector, there's also a possible Pleasure world to be made"

As world after world fell into line, Franklin's reputation grew. His method of compliance was unlike anything the galaxy had seen before. On Hydraphur, a world resistant to Imperial rule, Franklin bypassed the planetary governor entirely.

"Listen up, folks," his voice boomed over the planet-wide vox cast, "Your governor's been feeding you a load of grox dung. You want real freedom? Real prosperity? The Imperium's got your back. All you gotta do is show that stuffed shirt the door."

What followed was a masterclass in asymmetrical warfare and propaganda. Liberty Eagles disguised as locals began spreading whispers of a better life under Imperial rule. Green Beret Astartes trained resistance fighters in the art of guerrilla warfare. Within weeks, the population rose up, and the governor found himself unceremoniously ejected from his palace. Franklin's arrival on the planet was met with cheers. "See? Didn't even have to fire a shot," he grinned to his First Captain, Denzel Washington. "That's how you liberate a world, my

friend."

"Managed Democracy at it's finest Sir" Denzel confirmed.

But it was the encounter with the Diasporex that truly showcased Franklin's diplomatic skills. The nomadic fleet, a blend of human and xenos cultures, was unlike anything the Imperium typically tolerated. As the Liberty Eagles' fleet approached, tension filled the air.

Franklin opened a channel to the Diasporex flagship. "Greetings, fellow wanderers of the void! Name's Franklin Valorian, Primarch of the Liberty Eagles. Don't suppose you'd be interested in joining a little project we call the Imperium of Man?"

The Diasporex leadership, cautious but intrigued, agreed to a face-to-face meeting. In a neutral zone between their fleets, Franklin met with the Diasporex Council, a diverse group of

humans and xenos.

"I'll be straight with you," Franklin said, leaning back in his chair. "The Imperium's not exactly known for its... open-mindedness when it comes to xenos. But me? I see potential

allies."

The Diasporex spokesperson, a human woman named Phira, raised an eyebrow. "And yet you ask us to join this Imperium?"

Franklin chuckled. "Well, I had to ask, didn't I? But between you and me, I respect your way of life. Democracy, cooperation between species... it's admirable."

Over the next few hours, Franklin and the Diasporex Council hammered out a trade agreement. The Liberator's easy-going nature and genuine respect for their culture won over many of the initially skeptical council members.

As the meeting concluded, Before departing, Franklin left the Diasporex with a warning and a promise. "Remember, folks - I'm probably the friendliest face you're going to see wearing this aquila. If you run into any other Imperials, especially big guys who look like they might be related to me, play it cool. And if things go south, you make a beeline for the Independence Cluster. We'll keep a light on for you." Franklin knew that amongst the Imperium, he is probably the friendliest, he does not know about his brother Primarchs but he has an 80% chance that they are outright Xenophobes as well.

Elara nodded gratefully. "Your warning is appreciated, Lord Valorian. As is your offer of

sanctuary."

Before parting ways, the Diasporex traded some of their technology with Franklin - advanced techniques for using stars and hidden space stations to refuel and recharge ships in exchange for some Mechsuits and General Weaponry. As Franklin prepared to depart, the Diasporex council presented him with a gift - a small, intricately designed device that contained star charts of regions unknown to the Imperium. "For the liberty you've shown in allowing us our freedom," they said, "we offer you the freedom to explore new frontiers, Consider it a token of our new friendship," Phira said with a smile.

Franklin accepted the gift with grace, and this unknown star region would later be known as the Gothic Sector.

As Franklin returned to his flagship, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. "Now that," he said to his command staff, "is how you expand an empire. Friendship, trade, and a little bit of that Valorian charm!"

Over the course of the six months, Franklin's Legion subjugated approximately 150 planets, each brought into compliance with minimal bloodshed - at least on the Liberty Eagles' side. His methods, while unorthodox, proved incredibly effective.

On Hydraphur, now a loyalist world, Franklin oversaw the establishment of new governmental systems. "Remember, folks," he addressed the newly formed planetary council, "this is managed democracy. You've got the freedom to choose, but let's all remember we're part of something bigger now."

In the Agrippinaa Sector, industrial output began to soar. Franklin's promise of prosperity was rapidly becoming a reality, with new shipyards and factories sprouting up across the sector. The Belis Corona System, true to Franklin's prediction, was shaping up to be a formidable defensive hub.

As Franklin Valorian and his Liberty Eagles ventured into the starchart given by the Diasporex they discovered the Gothic Sector, they found themselves faced with a diverse array of worlds, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. The Liberator's reputation preceded him, and many worlds welcomed Imperial rule with open arms, eager for the prosperity and protection it promised.

Upon entering the sub-sector composed of 11 planets, Franklin's strategic mind immediately began to work. "Alright, team," he announced to his command staff, "we've got ourselves a real mixed bag here. Let's get to work."

The hive worlds of Cherys and Gethsemane were the first to catch his attention. "Isolated, but teeming with humanity," Franklin mused. "These folks are going to be thrilled to see us. Let's show them what the Imperium can do for overcrowded worlds."

True

to his word, when the Liberty Eagles made contact with these hive worlds, they were met with enthusiasm. Franklin's promises of improved living conditions, better resource distribution, and connection to a galactic empire were met with cheers from the populace. "See, boys?" Franklin grinned to his Astartes. "Sometimes, all people need is a little hope and

a lot of infrastructure."

The agri-worlds of Drakulu, Erebus, Gath, and Yama Enda presented a different kind of opportunity. "Gentlemen," Franklin declared, "we're looking at the future breadbasket of this sector. Let's get some terraforming underway and enhance these bad boys." Over the next few weeks, Liberty Eagles experts in agriculture and terraforming worked alongside local farmers, introducing advanced techniques and technology. The promise of feeding not just their own worlds but others in the Imperium filled the populace with pride. Sёarch* The novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The mining worlds of Fier, Lashattau, and Toya-Tama were next on Franklin's list. "Resources, gentlemen. The lifeblood of any growing empire. Let's make sure these operations are running at peak efficiency."

However, it was during a routine patrol near Fier that things took an unexpected turn. The "Sweet Liberty" picked up massive energy readings from the planet's surface. Initial scans showed no signs of life, but the mineral wealth was staggering.

"Sir," reported the ship's AI, Sovereign, "I'm detecting something... unusual buried within Fier's crust. The energy signature is unlike anything in our databases."

Franklin's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Well, well, well. Looks like we've stumbled onto something interesting. Denzel, prep a landing party. I want to see this for myself."

As they descended to the planet's surface, the energy readings grew stronger. After hours of

careful excavation, guided by Sovereign's increasingly excited reports, they uncovered something that left even the unflappable Franklin Valorian speechless.

Rising from the planet's crust was a structure of impossible geometry, radiating power

beyond mortal comprehension. It was vast, it was ancient, and it was clearly not of human

origin.

"Holy smokes," Franklin whispered, his usual jovial tone replaced by awe. "Sovereign, what are we looking at here?"

The AI's voice was filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "Sir, I'm afraid I have

no exact match in my databases. This structure is clearly of immense age and power, but its origin and purpose are unknown."

Franklin circled the colossal construct, his mind racing. As he examined its surface, he noticed

the material it was made from - a strange, black stone unlike anything he'd seen before.

"Well, we've got to call it something," Franklin mused. He ran his hand along the smooth,

dark surface. "How about we keep it simple? Blackstone Fortress. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

His team nodded in agreement, and the name stuck.

Over the next few weeks, Franklin's experts began preliminary studies of the newly dubbed Blackstone Fortress. Their findings were astounding.

"Sir," reported the chief archaeotech expert, "our initial dating puts this structure somewhere between 17,000 and 300,000 years old. But... we can't figure out how it was built.

Most of its systems are offline, except for the main power core, which is still active after all

this time."

Franklin's eyes lit up with excitement. "Now that's interesting. Any idea how to wake this sleeping giant up?"

The expert shook his head. "Not yet, sir. But we're working on it." Franklin nodded, his mind already spinning with possibilities. "Alright, here's what we're

going to do. I want our best minds working on this. Figure out how to turn it on, how it works,

the whole nine yards."

He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "And once we crack that nut, let's see about

giving this old girl some upgrades. I'm thinking retrofitting it with some of our Dark Age goodies. Turn it into a naval base for the sector. What do you say, boys?"

The enthusiasm among his team was palpable. The prospect of combining this ancient technology with their own advanced systems was thrilling.

As Franklin Valorian surveyed the newly discovered planets of Mpandex and Zpandex, his

Chief Engineer, Dr. Victoria Vance, approached him with an excited gleam in her eye. The Liberator recognized that look - it was the same one he got when he stumbled upon a particularly interesting world to liberate.

"Lord Valorian," Dr. Vance began, barely containing her enthusiasm, "I've completed my analysis of these two worlds. They're perfect candidates for Independence Cluster-style Forge Worlds."

Franklin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so, Doc? Well, don't keep me in suspense. Give

me the rundown."

Dr. Vance activated a holographic display, showing detailed scans of both planets. "Both

Mpandex and Zpandex are incredibly rich in natural minerals. We're talking rare earth elements, heavy metals, everything we need for advanced manufacturing. But here's the kicker - we can set these up as our kind of Forge Worlds, not the Mechanicus death traps." "I'm listening," Franklin said, leaning in closer to the display.

"Picture this," Dr. Vance continued, her hands moving animatedly as she spoke. "Fully automated mining operations, run by advanced AI systems. Production lines that would make the Mechanicus weep with envy, all overseen by a small team of our best engineers and scientists. We're talking maximum efficiency with minimal human risk." Franklin nodded approvingly. "Sounds like my kind of operation. But what about defense? Can't have these jewels sitting unprotected."

Dr. Vance's grin widened. "That's where it gets really interesting, sir. We implement an ICDF defense system - Independence Cluster Defense Force. We recruit from the local population,

augment them with our transhuman processes, and equip them with our most advanced

gear." "How many are we talking?" Franklin asked.

"Millions," Dr. Vance replied. "A force capable of repelling almost any threat, with complete air-to-surface capabilities. And here's the best part - these Forge Worlds would be capable of producing everything from the smallest gear to full void ships in the orbital yards." Franklin whistled, impressed. "That's quite the setup, Doc. But I'm sensing a 'but' coming."

Dr. Vance's excitement dimmed slightly. "You're right, sir. There is a catch. This kind of Forge World is incredibly expensive to set up and maintain. We're talking resources that could establish dozens of standard Mechanicus Forge Worlds. It's a significant investment." "And I'm guessing these fancy Forge Worlds need to be in safe, stable systems," Franklin

mused.

"Exactly," Dr. Vance nodded. "They're high-value targets. If one fell to an enemy, the loss would be catastrophic. That's why we can't completely replace the Mechanicus model. Their Forge Worlds might be inefficient and, frankly, hellish, but they're easier to establish in

frontier regions."

Franklin paced the command deck, processing the information. "Give me a comparison, Doc. How do our Forge Worlds stack up against the Mechanicus in terms of output?" Dr. Vance pulled up another holographic display. "In terms of raw production, a single Independence Cluster Forge World could outproduce ten standard Mechanicus Forge Worlds.

The quality of the products is also significantly higher, with a defect rate close to zero thanks to our AI quality control."

"And the downside?" Franklin prompted.

"Resource consumption," Dr. Vance admitted. "Our Forge Worlds burn through raw materials

at an incredible rate. We'd need to ensure a steady supply of resources to keep them running

at peak efficiency."

Franklin nodded, his mind already working on logistics. "What about the workforce? You mentioned a small team of engineers and scientists."

"Yes," Dr. Vance confirmed. "We'd need only about a thousand highly skilled personnel to oversee operations on each world. Compare that to the millions of workers on a Mechanicus Forge World. It's safer, more efficient, and allows us to deploy human resources elsewhere."

"And the ICDF troops?" Franklin asked.

"Recruited locally, as I mentioned," Dr. Vance explained. "We'd set up training facilities on each world, using our mass-produced supersoldier techniques. These troops would be

equipped with gear that would make the Lucifer Blacks jealous."

Franklin chuckled at that. "I'm sure my father would love to hear that. Alright, Doc, you've

sold me on the idea. But let's talk numbers. How long would it take to get these worlds up and running?"

Dr. Vance consulted her data-slate. "With our current resources and assuming we prioritize these projects, we could have basic operations running within a half a year. Full production

capacity, including void ship construction, would take about Two years."

"Two years," Franklin mused. "That's not bad, all things considered. And the cost?"

Dr. Vance took a deep breath. "It's substantial, sir. We're looking at resources equivalent to establishing an entire sub-sector. The initial investment is enormous."

Franklin nodded, his face serious. "But the long-term benefits could be game-changing for

the Imperium."

"Exactly, sir," Dr. Vance agreed. "Once established, these Forge Worlds could produce enough materiel to supply multiple Crusade fleets. We're talking about a significant strategic advantage."

Franklin was quiet for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he looked up at Dr.

Vance, a determined glint in his eye. "Alright, Doc. Let's do it. We'll start with Mpandex and see how it goes. If it's as successful as you project, we'll convert Zpandex as well."

Dr. Vance's face lit up. "You won't regret this, sir. I'll begin drafting the implementation plans immediately."

As she turned to leave, Franklin called out, "Oh, and Doc? Let's keep this between us for now. I

have a feeling that tech-priests, might not like it"

Dr. Vance grinned and nodded. "Understood, sir. Mum's the word."

As the Chief Engineer left to begin her work, Franklin turned back to the viewport, gazing out

at the planets that would soon become the Imperium's most advanced Forge Worlds. He couldn't help but smile, imagining the look on the Fabricator-General's face when he saw

what the Liberty Eagles could do.

"Well, Dad," he muttered to himself, "you wanted me to help build your Imperium. I'd say

we're off to a pretty good start."

With that, Franklin Valorian, the Liberator, set in motion a plan that would reshape the industrial capacity of the Imperium. The Gothic Sector was about to become a powerhouse of production, and the galaxy would never be the same.