Hariko Lee, the Imperius Inquisitor, sat upon the grand throne in the Imperial Citadel, his eyes scanning the holographic dispy of the gaxy. In front of him stood some of the most powerful leaders within the Empire, each responsible for the vast military machine that kept the gaxy in line. As the supreme ruler, Hariko wielded ultimate authority, his decisions shaping the course of millions of lives and countless worlds.

  Behind him, a massive screen dispyed the test intelligence on the Scattered Elven Empire, now under siege by the Spider Fleet, a relentless swarm that had consumed 6.5 million of the elves' sor systems. The stakes had never been higher, and Hariko knew that this mission would require every ounce of his empire’s military strength.

  Scientist Anna had just delivered her report regarding the marine chapters' restrictions, a decision Hariko had personally endorsed to ensure loyalty within his ranks. Standing before him were his highest-ranking officials, all gathered to discuss the next phase of their pn to recim the lost systems and confront the Spider Fleet.

  “Imperius Inquisitor,” said the Imperator, the supreme commander of the Gaxy Interstelr Fleet, bowing slightly before speaking. “Our fleets are at full readiness, but the spiders have entrenched themselves in the 6.5 million sor systems. We’ve confirmed that 10,000,000 Spider Fleet ships guard these systems, each one a fortress of its own.”

  Hariko leaned forward, his gaze cold and calcuting. “We cannot afford to hesitate. The Scattered Elven Empire needs us, and if we do not act, those systems will be lost forever. The spiders will only grow stronger.”

  The Legatus Inquisitus, responsible for organizing the legions and marine chapters across the gaxy, spoke next. “The marine chapters we’ve authorized are limited to 2,500 marines per unit. Some of the Imperius Senators have expressed concern about these numbers. They question why we restrict the formation of marine chapters when we could be deploying rger forces.”

  Hariko turned his attention to Scientist Anna, who had been standing silently at his side. She stepped forward, her expression calm yet resolute, prepared to defend the policy that had been implemented under Hariko’s rule.

  “It's a matter of security and stability,” Anna began. “While the Emperor-approved marine chapters are granted rger forces—up to 201,000 space marines—this privilege is only extended to those directly chosen by Hariko Lee himself. By limiting the numbers for other chapters, we prevent ambitious leaders from amassing too much power and threatening the integrity of the Empire.”

  Her words hung in the air as the Imperatus Imperator, the supreme commander of all pnetary defense forces, nodded in agreement. “Civil war is a constant threat in an empire as vast as ours. It’s wise to ensure that only those loyal to the Imperius Inquisitor wield such power.”

  Hariko watched the room closely, gauging the reactions of his senior commanders. The Imperius Senators, responsible for governing entire sor systems, exchanged looks before one spoke up.

  “We understand the need for caution, but the Spider Fleet’s numbers are staggering. Ten million ships, all concentrated in the lost systems. We’ll need every resource we can muster.”

  Hariko stood, his presence commanding absolute silence. “This is why the Emperor-approved chapters exist,” he said, his voice low but filled with authority. “The Imperator Senators may request reinforcements, but only those appointed by me will lead our rgest marine chapters. This ensures the survival of the Empire.”

  The Imperius Principes, elite commanders of personal chapters, stood in acknowledgment. They, too, understood the value of Hariko’s system. Their ranks, limited to 2,500 marines, were specifically chosen to prevent any one force from growing too powerful without direct approval from the Inquisitor. They required the special syrups crafted by Hariko himself to enhance their recruits, a slow but necessary process that ensured the quality and loyalty of his marines.

  As the discussion of the marine chapters came to a close, the conversation turned back to the immediate threat.

  “The Spider Fleet has amassed an unprecedented force,” said the Legatus Legionis, commander of legions across multiple worlds. “If we’re to recim those 6.5 million lost worlds, we must strike decisively. The spiders are not like the orcs or other enemies we’ve faced—they’re relentless, consuming biomass and growing stronger with every victory.”

  Hariko nodded. “We’ll begin by sending in Imperius Senatorial Fleets, each composed of the maximum 5 million ships per senator. But that will only be the opening strike. Our Gaxy Interstelr Fleet will follow immediately, with my own personal fleet leading the charge.”

  The Tribunium Miltium, responsible for overseeing pnetary provinces, raised a hand. “My Lord, the resources required for this campaign will be immense. The entire gaxy must be mobilized.”

  “That’s why I’ve called this meeting,” Hariko replied, his gaze sweeping over his commanders. “The Scattered Elven Empire has been left vulnerable for too long. The spiders believe they have already won, but they underestimate the strength of the Imperial Empire. We will shatter their defenses, recim those worlds, and then—”

  “—we will move on to the Orc Warband, liberating the ensved elves and ensuring that no other empire challenges our dominance.”

  The room was silent for a moment as the weight of the coming battle settled over them. Hariko’s commanders exchanged gnces, each of them knowing the stakes, but also understanding that under their Imperius Inquisitor, the Empire had always triumphed.

  “Prepare the fleets,” Hariko said, his voice steely with determination. “In three days, we unch the assault.”

  With that, the meeting was adjourned, and the preparations for the gaxy-wide mobilization began. The Empire’s vast military machine was now fully engaged, and Hariko Lee knew that with careful pnning, the Spider Fleet would soon face annihition.

  And then, after the spiders, the orcs would fall. The lost worlds of the Scattered Elven Empire would be recimed, and the gaxy would once again bow to the Imperius Inquisitor’s will.

  Hariko Lee stood on the bridge of his Imperator-css fgship, a massive interstelr warship that dwarfed the rest of the fleet around him. The holographic dispy before him showed the intricate yout of the Athena II system, a vital world located near the heart of the Scattered Elven Empire, where 30% of the elves' lost territory now y under the crushing grip of the Spider Hive Fleets.

  "Lord Hariko, all fleets are in position," reported Admiral Ishiro, commanding officer of the Imperial Empire’s 8th Legion Fleet, his voice echoing through the vast command deck. The room buzzed with activity as officers prepared for the imminent battle.

  "Good," Hariko responded, his gaze fixed on the shimmering stars in the distance. The spiders had spread their infestation across the elven systems like a pgue, and the recmation of these territories was vital to not only their allies but the stability of the entire gaxy.

  The Athena II system was the key. Over 8 million ships from each major territory of the Imperial Empire had converged on the system, prepared for an all-out assault against the Spider Hive Fleets that defended the captured worlds. Each fleet—mighty and battle-hardened—had been assigned its own sector to recim. Their targets: the swarm of 10 million Spider Fleet ships lurking in the shadows of the lost elven worlds.

  Hariko turned to Scientist Anna, who stood near the tactical console. Her innovations had made the Imperial Marine Chapters a powerful force, but now it was time to test the full might of the Imperial Navy. "Have you completed the analysis of the spider ships?"

  Anna nodded. "Their fleets rely on overwhelming numbers and biomass conversion. They’re fast and adaptive, but their weakness lies in their hive coordination. If we can disrupt their central control network, their fleets will lose cohesion."

  Hariko allowed a small smile to flicker across his lips. "Then that’s our target. I want their central command ships destroyed before they can adapt to our tactics."

  Suddenly, arms bred across the command deck, and the holographic dispy zoomed in on the Athena II sector. Thousands of Spider Hive Ships had just appeared on the outskirts of the system, their chitinous hulls glistening like living nightmares, weaving between the stars in eerie silence. They swarmed, billions of organic creatures functioning as one under the control of their hive mind.

  "Engage all fleets!" Hariko ordered, his voice booming through the comm channels. "We hold nothing back. No retreat, no surrender!"

  With that, the Imperial Empire's fleets sprang into action.

  The mighty Imperator-css ships surged forward, their vast cannons lighting up the void with a barrage of psma fire, missiles, and railguns. Dreadnoughts and battlecruisers unleashed their devastating payloads, smashing into the leading edge of the spider forces. The hive ships responded in kind, sending waves of bio-organic projectiles and swarms of fighter-sized organisms that tore through space like missiles.

  Hariko watched as the first wave of spider ships crumbled under the combined firepower of 8 million ships from each territory. Frigates and destroyers moved in perfect formation, unching surgical strikes against the spider’s rger ships, while carriers unleashed countless fighter squadrons to engage the enemy’s bio-fighters in furious dogfights.

  The battle for Athena II had begun.

  On the surface of Athena II, the ground trembled as massive explosions lit up the sky. The once-pristine elven cities y in ruins, their towers colpsed, and their forests burnt. The world had been overrun, its remaining inhabitants captured or sughtered by the spiders. But now, the sky above them was filled with hope—an armada of Imperial warships cutting through the spiders' defenses.

  As the Imperator-css battleships engaged the hive fleet, Hariko Lee watched the data streams carefully. His commanders reyed status updates from the frontlines. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the spider fleet was struggling to maintain coordination against the disciplined onsught of the Imperial forces. The spiders, used to attacking fractured forces or defenseless worlds, now faced a united and well-coordinated assault from the Imperial Empire.

  "Status report," Hariko called out.

  Admiral Ishiro’s voice crackled through the comms. "We’ve pushed through the first wave. Their defenses are faltering. We're preparing a second strike on the hive's command ships."

  "Proceed," Hariko said calmly. "Begin deploying the Imperial Marines to Athena II’s surface. Secure the pnet and ensure no spiders remain."

  As the Imperial Marines descended towards the pnet's surface in waves of drop ships, their 201,000-strong forces moved in perfect synchronization. Led by elite Imperius Principes, each marine had been enhanced through the syrups developed by Hariko and Anna, making them far more powerful than the average soldier. Their task was simple: retake the pnet from the spiders' ground forces and reestablish elven control.

  The drop ships descended through the chaotic atmosphere, dodging organic artillery fired by the spiders' surface cannons. The marines hit the ground with pinpoint precision, immediately engaging the enemy with psma rifles, fmethrowers, and energy bdes. Massive mechs and battle tanks followed, clearing out swarms of spider creatures that poured from the hive-infested cities.

  Meanwhile, in space, the battle intensified. The spider hive ships, realizing they were being overwhelmed, began to fight with a frantic desperation. Swarms of bio-fighters charged into the heart of the Imperial fleets, attempting to overwhelm the capital ships through sheer numbers. But Hariko’s forces were prepared.

  "Admiral Ishiro, concentrate fire on the hive command ships," Hariko ordered. "We need to sever their connection to the swarm."

  The Imperator-css ships unleashed another round of devastating firepower. Psma beams sliced through the void, smming into the central hive ships. Massive explosions lit up the darkness of space as the spiders' command vessels were obliterated one by one. As their central hive mind weakened, the coordination between the spider fleets began to crumble.

  Hariko watched as the spiders' formations broke apart. The bio-fighters, once operating in perfect unison, now drifted aimlessly, confused and disorganized.

  "Victory is within our grasp," Hariko said to himself, standing tall on the bridge of his fgship.

  With the spiders' command network broken, the Imperial fleets pressed their advantage. Destroyers and cruisers moved in to finish off the stragglers, while battlecruisers unched wave after wave of missiles, ensuring that no spider ship escaped.

  By the time the battle ended, the Athena II system was filled with the wreckage of thousands of spider ships. The ground forces had retaken the capital, securing it for the Scattered Elven Empire once again. The elves could begin rebuilding what they had lost, with the help of their Imperial allies.

  Hariko Lee stood victorious, but his mind was already on the next phase of the campaign. The Spider Hive had been dealt a severe blow, but there were still millions of elven worlds under their control. This was only the beginning.

  "Prepare the fleets," Hariko commanded. "We’re not finished yet. The spiders may have lost today, but we will take back every system they've stolen. The elves will be free again."

  As his commanders moved to carry out his orders, Hariko turned his gaze towards the distant stars, knowing that the Empire's might would soon be felt across every corner of the gaxy.

  The Imperator-css fgship drifted silently in the void above the pnet Drul IV, a world ravaged by conflict, now serving as the battlefield between the Imperial Empire and the entrenched forces of the Orc Warband. This world was a linchpin in Hariko Lee’s campaign to recim the 6.5 million lost elven worlds, but first, Drul IV needed to be purged of its invaders.

  Rakus William, the towering and battle-hardened leader of the Imperial Marines, stood at the helm of the orbital deployment center aboard the ship. His armor gleamed under the bright lights of the command deck, and his stern expression betrayed the weight of the coming operation. Around him, the commanders of the Imperial Guard and the four branches of the Marines were gathered, ready to execute the rgest pnetary drop in the history of the Imperial Empire.

  "Commander William," the voice of Scientist Anna crackled through the comms, "the orbital drop ships are ready. All forces are on standby."

  Rakus nodded and tapped the console in front of him, dispying the massive formations of ships preparing to descend. The drop would be initiated from 1,800 kilometers above the pnet, and each ship was loaded with elite units and equipment. These were no ordinary soldiers—these were the best warriors the Empire had to offer.

  His eyes moved over the dispy, confirming the readiness of his troops:

  2000 Fk 88s, their anti-air and anti-tank capabilities were crucial for holding the ground once the Marines nded.2500 K3 tanks, hulking beasts of war, capable of tearing through the thick armor of the Orc Warband’s vehicles and shredding infantry with ease.1,152,000 elite soldiers, divided across the Imperial Marines, the Imperial Guard, and the four branches of the military, each warrior trained to perfection, equipped with the most advanced weaponry and armor."All forces, prepare for orbital drop!" Rakus’s voice boomed over the internal comms, echoing through the ship and into the ears of the millions of soldiers under his command.

  The orbital drop ships roared to life, their thrusters igniting as they descended through the vastness of space, piercing through the atmosphere of Drul IV. The massive ships were designed not only to carry troops but also to act as mobile command centers, ensuring that Rakus could lead the battle from the ground, coordinating every strike with precision.

  Rakus’s fgship, along with three other drop ships, led the charge, cutting through the clouds as the surface of Drul IV came into view. Below, the enemy forces were spread across the ndscape—thousands of Orc Warband soldiers entrenched in fortified positions, their war machines bristling with crude but deadly weaponry. The green-skinned warriors had ensved countless elves, using them as bor and fodder in their brutal war machine. Now, it was time to liberate them.

  "Activate shields, prepare for nding," Rakus commanded, his voice calm despite the chaotic descent.

  As the drop ships neared the ground, anti-aircraft fire from the Orc Warband erupted from below, lighting up the sky in a deadly barrage. But the ships' shields held strong, absorbing the incoming fire as they continued their approach. The hulking behemoths of war prepared for their moment of impact.

  With a deafening crash, the drop ships nded on the surface of Drul IV, their nding gear absorbing the shock as massive doors slid open, releasing the full might of the Imperial Marines and their Imperial Guard allies onto the battlefield.

  Rakus was the first to step foot on the ground, his enormous frame cutting through the thick atmosphere of the war-torn pnet. His helmet visor fshed with tactical data, mapping out enemy positions, while a storm of gunfire and explosions filled the air. The K3 tanks rolled out of the dropships behind him, their engines growling as they lined up to engage the enemy forces. Alongside them, Fk 88s were deployed, their crews quickly setting up positions to provide anti-air and artillery support.

  The ground quaked beneath the sheer weight of the Imperial war machine.

  "Imperial Guard, secure the perimeter!" Rakus barked into his comms. "Marines, form up! We’re pushing straight into the heart of their fortifications. No mercy!"

  Thousands of Imperial Marines moved with practiced precision, spreading out across the battlefield in tight formations. Their heavy bolters spat death, cutting down waves of Orc infantry that charged from their trenches with reckless abandon. Psma bsts and ser fire filled the air as the marines advanced, methodically eliminating any resistance in their path.

  The Orc Warband, fierce as they were, could not match the discipline and firepower of the Imperial forces. Their crude machines and brute strength were no match for the high-tech armor and weaponry of the Marines. The K3 tanks rolled forward like unstoppable juggernauts, their main cannons obliterating enemy vehicles and strongholds with ease. Fk 88s opened fire on the Orc’s makeshift aircraft, shredding them before they could make a dent in the Imperial lines.

  But Rakus knew that victory on Drul IV wasn’t just about crushing the Orcs. The true goal was freeing the elves who had been ensved by the Warband. As the Marines and Guard pushed deeper into the enemy fortifications, Rakus received the expected intel.

  "Commander William," came the voice of Captain Va, one of his trusted officers. "We’ve located several elven bor camps scattered throughout the area. Our scouts report they’re heavily fortified."

  "Send a detachment to liberate them," Rakus ordered. "We will not leave a single elf in chains."

  As the battle raged on, the marines deployed specialized units to the elven camps, their mission clear—free the captives and bring them under Imperial protection. Rakus himself led the main charge toward the heart of the Orc stronghold, where the Warband’s warboss, a hulking brute known as Gralkaz the Butcher, waited.

  The orc leader had prepared his defenses well, but even his strongest walls and deadliest weapons were no match for the Imperial assault. Rakus, fnked by his finest warriors, breached the enemy’s final line, psma grenades and fmers clearing the way as they stormed the command center.

  Gralkaz stood at the center of the room, a monstrous figure nearly twice the size of any orc Rakus had faced before. His eyes glowed with fury as he brandished his massive war axe, ready for a final battle.

  "You’re gonna regret comin’ here, human!" the warboss bellowed, charging toward Rakus with a roar.

  But Rakus was unflinching. With a single motion, he drew his psma chainsword, its bde crackling with energy as he met the orc’s charge head-on. The csh of steel and energy reverberated through the command center, but in a matter of moments, Rakus outmaneuvered the brute, his sword slicing through the warboss's defenses and delivering a fatal blow.

  Gralkaz staggered back, disbelief in his eyes as he fell to the ground with a thunderous crash. The Orc Warband was broken.

  With their leader dead and their forces scattered, the Orcs quickly fell into disarray. The Imperial Marines and Guard mopped up the remaining pockets of resistance, while the liberated elves were transported back to safety aboard the Imperial fleet.

  As Rakus stood atop the broken stronghold, surveying the battlefield, he received a transmission from Hariko Lee aboard the Imperator-css fgship.

  "Commander William, the battle is won. Drul IV is ours," Hariko’s voice rang through the comms.

  Rakus allowed himself a brief smile. "The Orcs will trouble this world no more, my lord. The elves are free."

  "Good," Hariko replied. "This is just the beginning. We will recim every lost world, and the Empire will stand united against all threats."

  As the dust settled on Drul IV, Rakus and his marines prepared for their next mission. The fight for the elven worlds was far from over, but with every victory, the Imperial Empire grew stronger, and its enemies weaker.

  The Imperial Guard and Imperial Marines, fresh from their victories on Drul IV, continued their relentless campaign across the Orc-controlled worlds. One by one, the orc-infested pnets were purged of their enemies as the elite soldiers of the Imperial Empire descended upon the surface, wiping out the Orc Warband forces with clinical precision. Each drop was swift and decisive, as the K3 tanks, Fk 88s, and millions of soldiers overwhelmed any resistance.

  But the final world in the Orc sector was different.

  This was the heart of the Orc Warband’s territory—Gor'Zul Prime—a massive stronghold that had withstood countless invasions. The entire pnet was fortified beyond measure, its skies filled with crude, powerful orc defense ptforms and anti-aircraft batteries. The orcs had built towering mega-fortresses, filled with brutal warriors eager for blood. Landing on this pnet was impossible without first eliminating the threat from above.

  And that threat was not just from the pnet itself. Over the orbit of Gor'Zul Prime, a much deadlier enemy awaited: the Spider Hive Fleet.

  In the cold reaches of space, the Imperial Fleet—led by Hariko Lee’s fgship—moved into position. Thousands of capital ships, cruisers, and destroyers filled the void, their engines glowing brightly as they prepared for battle. The Imperial Fleet's mission was clear: engage and destroy the Spider Hive Fleet, which had been drawn to the sector by the chaos and the devastation of the ongoing war.

  The Spider Hive Fleet was a nightmare from the depths of space, a swarm of biological warships that blotted out the stars. These organic monstrosities had adapted to the vacuum of space, each ship bristling with organic weaponry capable of tearing through even the most advanced armor. They moved as one, a mindless tide controlled by a singur intelligence—one of the Hive Queens, intent on devouring everything in its path.

  "All ships, prepare for engagement," came the voice of Admiral Krenz, commanding the Imperial Fleet. His steely eyes focused on the enemy fleet dispyed on the tactical map. "We’re facing an infestation the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Our shields will hold, but our goal is to eliminate the Hive Fleet entirely. We can’t nd our troops on Gor'Zul Prime until the sky is clear."

  Hariko’s voice cut through the comms. "Destroy them all. We cannot allow these creatures to gain a foothold in this sector."

  The Spider Hive Fleet advanced. Its massive bio-ships glided through space, their surface crawling with grotesque appendages and tentacles. Each ship was a living organism, capable of regenerating damage and unching swarms of smaller drone ships, which acted as both fighters and bombers. The space between the two fleets was quickly filled with the glow of psma cannons, missile fire, and ser beams as the battle erupted in full force.

  The Imperial Fleet’s destroyers were the first to engage, unleashing a volley of torpedoes and long-range missiles that arced toward the incoming bio-ships. Explosions rippled across the Spider ships' organic hulls, tearing chunks of living tissue away, but the monstrous ships pressed on, their bio-psma cannons firing in response.

  Massive bolts of green energy nced out from the Hive Fleet, tearing through the shields of several destroyers and turning them into twisted wrecks of metal. The Imperial cruisers moved to fill the gap, their broadside guns unleashing devastating barrages of psma fire that scorched the bio-ships, setting them afme in the void of space.

  But the Spider Hive Fleet was relentless. For every bio-ship destroyed, another two seemed to take its pce. Swarms of Spider drones poured out from the rger ships, diving toward the Imperial vessels, their mandibles and cws seeking to breach hulls and devour the crews inside.

  "Deploy fighter squadrons!" Admiral Krenz ordered. "We need to thin out those swarms!"

  From the Imperial Fleet's carriers, waves of starfighters unched, screaming into the bckness to meet the drone swarm head-on. The fighters danced through the battlefield, unleashing bursts of ser fire as they tore through the enemy drones, but the sheer number of Hive Fleet ships seemed endless.

  Meanwhile, on the surface of Gor'Zul Prime, the Orcs prepared for what they believed would be an inevitable ground assault. They were unaware of the fierce battle raging above their world, but they could feel the tension in the air. Warbosses barked orders as thousands of Orc warriors took their positions within the towering fortresses, ready to defend their home with brutal ferocity.

  In the massive command center, Warlord Zrakash, the leader of the Orc Warband, watched his forces with grim satisfaction. He knew the humans would come—just as they had on the other worlds—but here, they would find no easy victory.

  "No humie gitz gonna nd here!" Zrakash snarled, smming his fist into the table in front of him. "We'z got da biggest fortresses, da best dakka! They’ll burn before they ever set foot on Gor'Zul!"

  Back in space, the tide of battle was beginning to shift. Despite the overwhelming numbers of the Spider Hive Fleet, the discipline and firepower of the Imperial Fleet were proving to be too much for the mindless swarm. One by one, the bio-ships were being torn apart by concentrated volleys of psma and missile fire.

  Admiral Krenz stood on the bridge of his command ship, watching as one of the rgest bio-ships—a hulking monstrosity nearly the size of a moon—was engulfed in fmes before breaking apart into chunks of burning tissue.

  "We’re making progress," he said, his voice calm. "But we’re not done yet. Focus all fire on the Hive Queen’s ship."

  The Hive Queen’s bio-ship was the rgest of them all, a grotesque amalgamation of flesh, bone, and organic weaponry that pulsed with unnatural life. It was the heart of the fleet, and as long as it remained, the Hive could continue to spawn more ships to repce those lost.

  All the remaining Imperial ships turned their guns toward the Hive Queen’s bio-ship, and the space around it lit up with explosions and ser fire. The Queen’s ship responded with a barrage of bio-psma that ripped through the Imperial fleet, but slowly, it began to falter.

  "We’re breaking through!" Admiral Krenz shouted. "All ships, concentrate fire!"

  As the Hive Queen’s ship was reduced to burning ruins, the remaining bio-ships lost their cohesion. Without the Hive Queen to guide them, they became disorganized, easy prey for the Imperial Fleet. One by one, they were hunted down and destroyed, their remains floating lifelessly through the void.

  "We’ve done it," Hariko’s voice rang through the comms. "The skies are clear. Prepare for the ground assault."

  The moment the Hive Fleet was destroyed, the Imperial Guard and Imperial Marines were mobilized. Massive nding ships broke from the fleet and began their descent toward Gor'Zul Prime, loaded with tanks, artillery, and over a million elite soldiers. The final assault on the Orc stronghold was about to begin.

  From their fortified positions on the ground, the Orcs watched as the sky filled with fire and steel. The Imperial Fleet had cleared the way, and now the full might of the Imperial Empire was descending upon them.

  Warlord Zrakash grinned as the arms sounded. "Let 'em come! We’z ready for a good scrap!"

  But even he knew, deep down, that the end was near. The Imperial Empire had come to recim what was theirs, and nothing—not the Orcs, not the Hive Fleet—could stop them.

  The final battle for the Orc world had begun.

  In the cold void of space, the Imperial Fleet remained in high orbit over Gor'Zul Prime, the st stronghold of the Orc Warband. Having just obliterated the Spider Hive Fleet, the fleet's focus turned to the surface below. Hariko Lee's fgship, fnked by several Imperator-css battleships, led the charge as scanners began sweeping the Orc world, gathering vital data for the upcoming assault.

  The eerie calmness in space was deceptive. Despite the Imperial Fleet’s overwhelming firepower, the fortress world of Gor'Zul Prime bristled with life and danger. This pnet was no simple Orc colony—it was their seat of power, a pce where warlords commanded entire armies, and brutal warriors thrived in endless conflict.

  Admiral Krenz stood on the bridge of his command ship, eyes fixed on the tactical hologram before him. As data streamed in from the scanners, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the sheer scale of the enemy forces.

  "Commander, what are we seeing down there?" Hariko's voice echoed through the comms from his fgship.

  Krenz’s voice was steady but grim as he responded, "Sir, our scans have picked up something… massive."

  The holo-dispy flickered to life, showing the pnet’s orbital zone first. Dozens upon dozens of S1 to S5-css ships, the crude but heavily armed war vessels of the Orc Warbands, filled the space around the pnet. Some were as small as frigates, barely spaceworthy, while others were enormous S5 battlecruisers, bristling with guns and energy cannons scavenged from countless raids across the gaxy.

  "We’re counting over 500 million enemy ships in orbit," Krenz continued. "All active and in formation. It’s an entire fleet—an armada rge enough to challenge even us."

  Hariko leaned forward on his command throne, his sharp eyes scanning the data. "That’s just the orbital fleet. What about the surface?"

  As the scan delved deeper into the pnet’s atmosphere, the scale of the Orc defenses became even more apparent. The surface of Gor'Zul Prime was crawling with life.

  "Fourteen billion Orcs…" Krenz said, unable to hide the astonishment in his voice. "All in various defensive positions. They're spread out across every major region, from fortified cities to open war camps. They're prepared for a siege, but it’s not just their numbers…"

  A new image materialized on the dispy—dense forests, spread across a vast region of the northern hemisphere. These were no ordinary woodnds. The trees were massive, towering structures reaching several kilometers into the sky. Each tree had been transformed into makeshift fortresses, bristling with crude but deadly Orc weapons.

  "These trees…" Hariko said, studying the image closely. "How many?"

  "Fifteen million," Krenz responded. "We’re detecting Orc patrols in and around these forests, using the trees as natural defensive positions. They’ve essentially turned the forests into a series of interlocking strongholds. Each tree could house hundreds of warriors, possibly even rger machines of war."

  The fleet officers and commanders present at the briefing exchanged uneasy gnces. Fifteen million fortified trees, each acting as a bastion for countless Orc soldiers and artillery, would make any ground assault a nightmare.

  Hariko remained calm, his mind already calcuting the strategies they would need to employ. "The Orcs are smart," he muttered. "Using nature to their advantage. But that won’t stop us."

  The holo-dispy shifted again, showing the yout of the Orc defense lines. Massive trench systems spanned for thousands of kilometers, connecting key Orc cities, fortresses, and those formidable trees. Hidden weapon empcements dotted the ndscape, from crude artillery cannons to massive energy batteries that had been scavenged from fallen Imperial vessels in past battles. The surface of Gor'Zul Prime was a living fortress, designed to repel invaders with every resource the Orcs had.

  But there was one area of particur interest that caught Hariko’s eye.

  "That region," Hariko said, pointing to a section of the map. "What’s in there?"

  Krenz zoomed in on the specified area. It was one of the most heavily fortified zones on the pnet, with dense concentrations of Orc warbands, patrolling vehicles, and massive structures that appeared to be crude war factories. The trees in this region were even rger than those elsewhere, towering above the ndscape like living monoliths.

  "We’re detecting more activity here than anywhere else on the pnet," Krenz said. "This is where their high command is most likely located. The warlords are probably gathering their armies here for the final defense."

  Hariko’s eyes narrowed. "Then that’s where we strike."

  With the scans complete, the Imperial commanders began formuting their pns. The 500 million Orc ships in orbit would have to be dealt with first. While the Imperial Fleet had proven its superiority in battle, the sheer scale of the enemy fleet required a coordinated and precise assault. Destroying those ships would clear the way for the nding forces and prevent any chance of the Orcs escaping into space.

  "The fleet will take out the Orc ships," Hariko ordered. "Coordinate our battleships and cruisers. Destroy anything that moves in orbit. We cannot allow a single one of those ships to escape."

  Admiral Krenz nodded. "Yes, sir. We’ll begin the orbital bombardment immediately."

  Hariko turned his attention to the ground assault. "Once we’ve cleared orbit, we’ll deploy the Imperial Guard and Marines. I want their strongest defenses taken down before we even touch down on the surface. We’ll soften them up with air strikes, then send in the heavy armor."

  The image of the Orc forests loomed rge on the dispy. Hariko tapped the section, focusing on the 15 million fortified trees.

  "Those trees will be a problem," he said. "We’ll need to burn them out before the ground troops can advance."

  One of the commanders spoke up. "We could deploy incendiary bombs, sir. The trees may be massive, but they’ll burn like any other organic material."

  Hariko nodded. "Do it. Burn them to the ground. Every tree in that region is to be reduced to ashes. I don’t want a single Orc hiding in those fortresses by the time we nd."

  As the orders went out, the Imperial Fleet surged into action. The battleships and cruisers moved into position, preparing to engage the massive Orc fleet that was waiting in orbit. Psma cannons powered up, and missiles were loaded into unch tubes. The coming battle would be nothing short of a full-scale sughter.

  Below, on the surface of Gor'Zul Prime, the Orcs continued their preparations. They had fought countless wars before, and they were ready for this one. Their crude war machines belched smoke into the sky, while their warriors roared in defiance, eager for the fight.

  But as the Imperial bombardment began, it became clear that this would be no ordinary war. The skies lit up with fire and fury as the Imperial Fleet unleashed its might upon the Orc defenders. Ships exploded in massive fireballs, torn apart by the precision of Imperial gunnery.

  And in the forests, the first waves of incendiary bombs began to fall.

  The Siege of Gor'Zul Prime had begun, and the Orc Warband would soon learn the true meaning of Imperial wrath.