"An empire...?"
Athena was momentarily stunned; this was the first time she'd heard of such a concept.
"Exactly," Corax affirmed. "Lieutenant Athena, please be cautious with your words and actions. Although the Engineering Division has begun constructing the Imperial Palace in the primary universe's ruins, founding the Empire remains a classified Atlas project. If any of this leaks, my brother and I wouldn't hesitate to personally enforce the consequences."
"Of course, I understand."
Athena's tone was slightly irritated but restrained herself, keeping her thoughts hidden. She was a goddess, but she was in a situation where even gods had to bow.
Olympus had long since fallen, and with humanity's rise—especially with figures like the Primarchs among them—Athena had come to realize that the age of gods was passing into myth. The physical power and psychic (psionic) strength of the Primarchs even exceeded hers by far. She couldn't even fathom how powerful Samuel Young, the father of the Primarchs, must be.
While she had heard of Samuel's achievements and read about his decisive battle against the daemon Mehr Itur, she had never witnessed his strength firsthand. Ever since Atlas had saved her, she'd been stationed in the primary universe, while Samuel was managing affairs within Universe-08, focusing on the alliance between humanity and the Elites.
"Lieutenant Athena."
At that moment, Mortarion issued another command to her:
"The UNSC's 6th Army Division decided to temporarily ally with us, partly due to your influence, to combat the Chaos outbreak in Mombasa. Now, I need you to lead your team of adjudicators to continue engaging with the 6th Army Division. Try to sway them over to Atlas' side or, at the very least, keep them neutral. If they decide to follow UNSC high command's orders, then dismantle the 6th Army Division's command center. As the goddess of war, I assume you won't need much further instruction."
"Understood."
Athena nodded in acknowledgment.
With that, she led her group of Greek demigods southward toward the outskirts of Mombasa, where the 6th Army Division's main force was stationed.
Mortarion then issued a command to Cortana: "Cortana, can you pinpoint the current UNSC command center?"
"Searching now," came Cortana's response over the comms.
A moment later, the AI with unparalleled computational abilities replied, "I've located the UNSC Navy's operations command hierarchy. They're currently stationed on the Sun-facing 017 Orbital Station, escorted by the 3rd Defense Fleet."
"Excellent." Mortarion paused briefly, quickly formulating a plan. "Notify the captain of Warrior's Sorrow to descend into the atmosphere and hover 50 nautical miles east of Mombasa. While entering the atmosphere, dispatch transports to extract Corax, myself, and all Astartes and Elite veterans. As for the frigates and the two Paris-class ships, continue to engage the UNSC's naval fleet without concern for local human casualties. From now on, our priority is the total elimination of the UNSC command and a demonstration of Atlas' absolute power.
"Also, inform the Atlas forces and bio-units stationed in the Eridani System to deploy via Ark transport to the designated field base, assisting the investigators in fully securing Mombasa's urban area."
Mortarion's tone grew stern as he continued:
"Remember, securing Mombasa means supporting and assisting the survivors, turning them into Atlas' dedicated supporters. Only with the people's support can we truly control Mombasa and, eventually, Earth-08 as a whole. While you manage the frigate, monitor the UNSC's tactical and strategic weapon movements. If pushed too far, they may use nuclear or thermonuclear weapons to level Mombasa."
"Understood."
Cortana responded with her usual efficiency, already setting Mortarion's orders into action.
When the communication ended, Corax raised an eyebrow and smirked, commenting, "Brother, you've improved a lot. Not the silent type you used to be."
"Don't tease me," Mortarion shot Corax a glance, then sealed his helmet, looking up at Mombasa's clear night sky. "Spending time with Fulgrim and the others, I've learned that earning achievements is essential. This relates to the future treatment of our legions. Once the Empire is established, it'll ensure Father shows us more favor and might help keep the peace with our brothers, saving us from needless conflicts."
"Empire, huh," Corax mused, sealing his own helmet. "Let's hope that day comes soon."
---
In Low Earth Orbit;
Ri~—shoo—!!
Blue beams streaked across space, illuminating the area approximately 400 kilometers from Mombasa.
Boom. Boom!!
The targeted UNSC defensive fleet exploded in sequence. Over 70% of the fleet comprised frigates resembling Charon and Paris-class ships, with the rest mainly destroyers, which fell somewhere between frigates and cruisers in size and tonnage.
The defensive fleet of over a hundred ships was suffering heavy losses against only four Atlas vessels.
Already, half of the UNSC ships had lost power, drifting helplessly in low orbit, while three destroyers exploded in massive fireballs after jettisoning numerous escape pods.
Atlas' four ships represented technology that far outclassed the UNSC's. Ignoring the ten-kilometer-long battleship, the Wanderer-class, which was considered the pinnacle of physical universe technology, even the two Paris-class frigates, enhanced with Atlas modifications like magnetic field-shift systems and energy shield generators, were capable of engaging eight similarly sized UNSC ships each.
Moreover, the modified Paris-class frigates boasted improved speeds, allowing them to better support the Wanderer-class in its offensive. As for the Covenant's CCS-class battlecruiser, Warrior's Sorrow, it dominated the UNSC's cruisers in every engagement.
After all, the CCS-class was the Covenant's main battleship, supported by mature technology with guaranteed speed, defense, and firepower.
Of course, the Paris-class and CCS-class ships were only holding out due to the Wanderer-class' overwhelming presence.
The beam matrix from the Wanderer-class rendered the UNSC fleet's defenses in complete disarray, unable to mount effective counterattacks or evade the blasts.
The current Halo-era humans had never accounted for beam weaponry when designing their ships.
For instance, the armor thickness on the Charon-class frigates was a mere "pitiful" 60 centimeters.
While this 60-centimeter-thick Alpha titanium alloy armor was effective against conventional weaponry, it was woefully inadequate against the beams using Forerunner technology. As a result, Atlas' fleet easily managed a four-to-one engagement ratio.
Ri~—shoo—!!
The Wanderer-class released another beam barrage.
But this time, the beams inflicted minimal damage on the UNSC fleet; it was more of a feint to keep the fleet at bay.
In reality, the beams were providing cover for Warrior's Sorrow.
As the UNSC fleet cautiously pulled back, wary of the Wanderer-class' firepower, Warrior's Sorrow seized the opportunity, raising its energy shields and accelerating toward the atmosphere.
Upon entering the atmosphere, Warrior's Sorrow opened its belly hangar, allowing a large number of "U"-shaped and beetle-like transport ships to exit through its glowing plasma gate and head towards Mombasa.
---
Southern Outskirts of Mombasa;
The southern outskirts were a low-income area with old infrastructure, and it served as Mombasa's impoverished slums. Ironically, its marginal location had spared it from the worst of the supernatural disaster, making it a relatively quiet safe zone.
At this moment, the southern outskirts were packed with citizens fleeing from the new city district.
Crowds overflowed the streets and neighborhoods.
Fortunately, soldiers from the UNSC 6th Army Division, who had taken on the role of the Mombasa police force, were there to maintain order and provide medical assistance to the injured.
Among them were over a dozen young Salamander Astartes.
These 17- or 18-year-old giants, clad in Titan I powered armor, were using their suits' auxiliary systems to assist civilians.
For instance, they used pulse scans to help direct the injured and those with limited mobility to suitable resting spots.
With their extensive knowledge base, the Salamanders were also able to provide medical aid, such as Yang Yan, who had ventured into the subway and eliminated corrupted SWAT officers.
In a neighborhood park, Yang Yan, standing at 2.4 meters, knelt on one knee, examining an elderly woman's twisted ankle.
Nearby, the young girl he had previously saved sat on the slide, clutching her teddy bear and watching Yang Yan with interest.
"It's not too serious," Yang Yan assured the elderly woman, standing up. "The crisis in Mombasa has been resolved, so try to avoid moving too much. Rest for five Earth days, and you should recover."
"Thank you very much," the elderly woman replied with a warm smile.
The seventy-year-old seemed unfazed by the towering Salamander. Instead, she looked at him with kindness and added, "If it weren't for you, young man, I would have died out there in the wilderness, for sure."
"Protecting humanity is our duty as Salamanders. No thanks are necessary," Yang Yan replied with a smile.
He turned to the little girl on the slide, extending a gloved finger to gently pat her
on the head.
"Listen to your mother, don't cause trouble, and don't wander off."
"I know," the girl replied shyly.
Yang Yan said nothing further. Sealing his helmet and gripping his bolt rifle, he set off toward the rendezvous point indicated on his mini-radar.
The girl watched him leave, looking like she wanted to say something.
Perhaps she had questions for the Salamander or simply didn't want him to leave. After all, it was under Yang Yan's protection that she, her mother, and other citizens had safely traversed the subway to reach the southern outskirts.
By the time Yang Yan prepared to return to Mombasa, Mortarion and Corax had already eliminated the Greater Daemon of Tzeentch, resolving the Chaos incident.
Thus, Yang Yan and his brothers remained in the southern outskirts temporarily.
The soldiers from the UNSC 6th Army Division had arrived on-site, but they hadn't clashed with the Salamanders.
Many of the soldiers were local to Mombasa, and numerous citizens were their friends and family. This left the soldiers with a sense of gratitude towards the Salamanders.
The soldiers also knew their place.
The Salamanders might seem good-natured and calm, rarely prone to anger. But if provoked, the soldiers understood they wouldn't stand a chance. Even with an armored battalion and Scorpion main battle tanks, Yang Yan and his ten Salamander brothers could complete a "flawless sweep."
Thus, despite the orders from UNSC high command, the 6th Army Division continued to maintain peace with the Salamanders.
When Athena and her Greek demigods arrived in the southern outskirts, the 6th Army Division chose to openly defy their superiors.
On one hand, they feared Athena's power; on the other, the events of Mombasa left them unwilling to engage in any backstabbing.
Meanwhile, Yang Yan and the Salamanders regrouped near the coastline.
Soon, a Covenant-made, now black-painted beetle-shaped transport appeared within their line of sight.
An Elite pilot controlled the transport, landing it steadily in the clearing.
Once Yang Yan and the others boarded, the Elite pilot took off, heading toward Warrior's Sorrow, which was tens of kilometers away.
At the same time, transports carrying Mortarion, Corax, the young Astartes, and veteran Elites also departed Mombasa.
They formed an airborne convoy, escorted by Banshees piloted by Elites.
Before long, the convoy returned to the hangar of Warrior's Sorrow.
On the bridge;
"Captain!" a silver-armored Elite communications officer reported to the golden-armored captain in the command chair. "All combat units have returned to the hangar."
Hearing this, the helmsman added, "Captain, target locked. We can begin the warp jump."
"Do it!" the golden-armored captain, his mandibles clicking, raised a hand. "Commence the jump!"
"Yes, sir!"
The helmsman responded loudly, preparing for the jump sequence.
A moment later, the holographic display showed a vortex of violet light opening within the atmosphere.
As Warrior's Sorrow entered the slipspace, the portal closed, releasing a strong pulse within the atmosphere.
The high altitude where Warrior's Sorrow had jumped wouldn't affect Mombasa, which was dozens of kilometers away.
Their warp destination was the Sun-facing 017 Orbital Station orbiting Earth in the Halo universe.
With Warrior's Sorrow slipspacing within the atmosphere, the UNSC's 3rd Defense Fleet could only watch helplessly, unable to reposition in time, as the 017 Orbital Station faced imminent boarding by a fleet of Atlas transports.
_________________________
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