Chapter 49 The Proxima Centauri Rebellion
Proxima Centauri — the nearest star to Terra.
During the Golden Age of Technology, it had served as one of humanity's most critical navigational nodes. Even after Old Night shattered interstellar civilization, the system still possessed fragments of that forgotten era.
If hostile, it could become one of the Imperium's most dangerous enemies.
If compliant, it could become one of its greatest prizes.
So when the Imperial fleet translated into the system and the planetary leadership immediately declared voluntary annexation…
no one trusted it.
Suspicion
"Father, this is a trap," Yuki said flatly.
"We cannot ignore an opportunity like this," the Emperor replied.
He knew it might be deception.
But Proxima Centauri's surviving Golden Age infrastructure was an irresistible prize.
And he believed nothing here could threaten him.
Horus stepped forward.
"Father, allow me to go first. If it is safe, you and my sister may follow."
Yuki silently counted:
Three…
Two…
One…
"No need," the Emperor said. "My son, accompany me."
She sighed.
Of course.
Primarchs and the Emperor shared one trait:
Once decided, nothing changed their course.
"Fine," Yuki said. "Then I go unseen. If something goes wrong, I drag you out."
The Emperor nodded.
Horus then watched in shock as Yuki's form dissolved into shadow.
Not invisibility.
Absence.
A faint distortion remained — one the eye forgot the instant it looked away.
"Sister?!"
"What?" her voice whispered from the dark.
Horus reached out.
He could feel her.
But could not remember her shape.
"What is this ability?"
"Oh, nothing," she said lightly. "You'll understand when more brothers return."
In truth, it was a composite technique — shadow-phasing, perception nullification, and velocity masking — an imperfect fusion of abilities that would one day belong to other Primarchs.
The Emperor rose.
"Let us greet our long-lost kin."
Arrival Ceremony
William Karl, Federation Leader of Proxima Centauri, welcomed the Emperor of Terra.
The Emperor's entourage included:
Horus Lupercal
veterans of the XVI Legion
Imperial Army detachments
a ceremonial guard from the III Legion
The Third Legion stood in immaculate formation, gold filigree glinting across their armor.
They were the Emperor's image made manifest.
And they knew it.
To them, this was merely another compliant system awaiting compliance.
The Emperor and William walked side by side, speaking like old allies.
Horus followed, wary.
Yuki ghosted behind them, scanning everything.
Nothing.
Too clean.
The Plaza
"Your Majesty," William said smoothly, gesturing ahead, "the ceremony will take place in the plaza."
It was packed.
Millions.
A sea of bodies.
Too many.
Far too many.
Yuki's voice cut into the Emperor's mind:
Dad, this is wrong. Nobody gathers millions to witness their own surrender.
We leave. Now.
"No rush."
She nearly swore aloud.
The Emperor severed the psychic link.
Yuki's patience snapped.
She began scanning the crowd for threats.
Then she saw him.
A cloaked figure weaving through the crowd at impossible speed.
Running away from the plaza.
"Chase."
She launched skyward.
The Tower
The figure fled into a towering spire.
Yuki hesitated.
Every instinct screamed to return to the plaza.
Then a voice reached her mind:
Miss Yuki. Mr. William invites you to speak.
So.
They knew she was there all along.
She ascended.
At the tower's summit, William Karl sat calmly at a dining table, cutting steak.
"I expected a monster," she said coldly.
"You need not provoke me," he replied. "Sit. Let us talk."
She remained standing.
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
He gestured.
Dozens of armored figures phased into existence — spatial insertion units — weapons aimed at her.
"Spatial displacement," she murmured. "Interesting."
She sat.
William smiled.
"Your father is about to die."
"Yours first," she replied.
His expression tightened.
"Serve me instead. Terra deserves a worthy ruler."
William had seized control of the Proxima system fifty years prior through ruthless brilliance. He had dreamed of Terra ever since.
The Imperial fleet had given him his chance.
"I am what an emperor should be," he said. "Why serve a false one?"
A thunderous roar erupted outside.
The trap had sprung.
The Plaza Massacre
William smiled.
"Open your eyes, Yuki. Choose wisely."
She rose.
"You became leader because you're funny," she said. "You made me laugh."
"Kill her."
The guards fired.
Her blades flashed.
But they vanished before striking him — spatial displacement barriers.
Bullets detonated like micro-blasts, ripping through the chamber.
Then her body froze.
A localized spatial lock crushed every muscle.
William approached.
"Anything to say?"
White fire erupted from her body.
The seal shattered.
Screams filled the room.
Her flame burned not flesh, but nerves — agony without mercy.
She seized William, wings of fire unfurling, and launched skyward.
Devastation
The plaza below was ruin.
Explosions.
Burning wreckage.
Bodies.
Astartes in purple armor lay broken among shattered marble.
Golden-armored guards lay twisted in the debris.
William screamed as the flames tightened.
She found Horus directing rescue operations.
"Sister."
"How is Father?"
"He lives," Horus said, bowing his head. "But we took heavy losses."
Hidden weapons in the crowd.
Synchronized fire.
Weapons capable of breaching Astartes plate.
The Emperor deflected the initial barrage, then led the Guard in a breakout assault.
Horus commanded the counterattack.
Victory came.
But too late for many.
Yuki touched his cheek.
"I do not blame you."
"But—"
"I said I do not blame you."
His eyes widened.
"Then who?"
She smiled without warmth.
"Who else?"
Confrontation
"Father! Open the door!"
Yuki pounded on the Emperor's chamber.
Imperial Guards stood rigid, drenched in sweat.
The door opened.
"Come in," he said.
"Father, what is wrong with you?!" she exploded.
"I judged the exchange acceptable," he replied calmly.
"A few hundred lives for an entire system."
"CAN YOU SURVIVE THEIR WEAPONS?" she shouted.
"…No."
Her voice broke.
"You… you… I…"
The Guards later watched in stunned silence as the Emperor carried the unconscious Yuki back to her flagship.
Aftermath
Three days later:
To honor their conduct under fire, the Third Legion was granted the right to bear the Aquila upon their armor.
They celebrated.
Proxima Centauri was secured.
Golden Age infrastructure seized.
Strategic node acquired.
A victory.
But victory always carries a cost.
The question is not whether something was gained.
The question is:
who paid for it.
Yuki, upon waking:
"I'm still furious."
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