Quoted By:
<span class="mu-s">Imperial Muster Point, Outskirts of the Noto System</span>
The Imperial Fleet had been hurling itself at the Pact defences for weeks to no avail. Every time it looked like they would finally break through it would turn out to be some kind of clever trap or some foolish enemy captain would sacrifice their ship to blunt their advance.
The Pact Fleet bleed, but so did the Imperials. Morale was low and many were starting to question the legitimacy of the invasion.
Multiple blue windows flared open in the darkness of space heralding the arrival of the next wave of Imperial reinforcements. Weary Imperial captains were expecting another battlegroup of mixed Parliaments with escorts, headed by a Commodore with fresh orders to advance.
What emerged from hyperspace was enormous; a massive super capital bristling with guns, flanked by a fresh batch of Otoris and new frigate types. IFF codes marked the newcomer as the <span class="mu-i">Hand of The Throne</span>.
The Imperials looked on in awe and fear. This was the rumoured super vessel being constructed back at the capital and it was here now. That only meant one thing; it was time.
—---
“Hyperspace jump complete, sub-systems are back online, all escorts confirm successful wake jump.”
Lord Commander Arcturus Garan nodded to the ship's captain.
“Open a channel, I wish to address the Fleet.”
“It is done sir.”
“Soldiers of the Imperial Fleet! This is your Lord Commander. For too long the impudent rebels of the so-called NKH Defence Pact have shirked their duty and denied us our destiny. A duty to make whole what was broken! A destiny to take our place among the great powers of the Galaxy! Today we remind the rebel scum that an Empress still sits upon the Throne and that they are still Her subjects! Rally to me sons and daughters of Raiha! Show the rebels the strength of our resolve and the true might of the EMPIRE!”
There were no cheers, but Arcturus could sense a wave of affirmation from across the assembled fleet. He could feel the hardening of resolve as battered Glories and Kestrels took up position around the <span class="mu-i">Hand</span>. At his signal the assembled forces began an inexorable advance upon the Noto Defence Line.
>cont
