Chapitre 42: Epilogue

3000 S.W.I. | Black Space

- Commander, we have reached optimum speed. - The Azari girl approached the man in the admiral's uniform and held out a clipboard. - In two months, we will reach our destination!

- Excellent, Astra, well done as always! - The man checked the readings and smiled at her. The senior navigator was embarrassed and lowered her eyes with a smile. - Anything else?

- Oh yes!" the girl clapped her hands. - Kalar has asked me to remind you that today is the founding anniversary! Everyone will gather in the main hall, and you must speak.

- Oh, Emperor! - With a deep sigh, the man took his cloak from the back of his chair and threw it over his shoulders. - How I do not like this...

- You are the Captain! - Astra said with an important look. - You should inspire the crew.

- You are my deputy. - Wearing a cap with the Imperial Crest, the officer walked towards the exit, accompanied by Azari. - You can do it yourself.

- I don't agree. You have to do something yourself! - she said, grabbing her uniform and heading out into the corridor.

- That's right... - After walking halfway through the deckhouse, the Captain stopped at the main terminal. - Argus," he turned to the Geth Cluster Manager. - I'll leave you in charge!

His reply was a cheerful chirp. With a chuckle, the man walked out into the wide corridor. The clusters had been destroyed after the war, and the Order had spent decades trying to rebuild them. Now they were replacing the techno-minds in almost every aspect of life, making life easier for the organists. In return, after the war, they were recognised as full members of Imperial society and served the Overlord faithfully.

As he passed the sentry, he saw the Commander of the landing party, an extremely tall Turian, arguing with the head of the research team, a Salarian. Standing quietly beside them was Master Oros, responsible for the condition of the ship and the fleet.

- Gentlemen. - The Captain approached the arguing men. The reasonable ones stretched out at his presence, and the Turian pounded his fist on his chest in greeting.

- Greetings, Admiral. We've been discussing a plan to escort the reconnaissance parties, but this ghost-cursed man refuses to increase his escort.

- You've disrupted research and destroyed samples more than once! - The Salarian, a good half metre shorter than the head of security, almost pounced on him with his fists. - I will not allow this to happen to our mission!

- I suggest we deal with this tomorrow; we already have a case today.

- You are right, sir. - The Turian bowed his head. - I will check on the fighters before the ceremony. I will meet you in the hall. - With that, the two minds went their separate ways.

Their races had been found on ruined worlds, dying from a lack of food and medicine. Ironically, this accelerated their assimilation into society, for it was a sin to waste a valuable human resource, especially one like this. The foundations of their states became the bedrock of their lives. The Turians made excellent legions, only slightly inferior to the hardened Imperial legions, and the Salarians were able to create the entire Ordos to explore the galaxy. The conquest of new worlds was now a dozen times faster, and the vaults of knowledge were filled daily.

The Captain was accompanied by the Master, who walked beside him towards the chambers.

- Oros, what is the status?

- These are the newest ships; I am surprised at your question. - Magos looked at the officer questioningly. - All is well, except for the domestic problems.

- I am glad about that. With the expedition's dispatch, something keeps bothering me... - the Captain passed his hand over his face.

- Paranoia, nothing more.

- I hope you are right. Are you going to the feast? - The High Commanders pushed through the crowd of Quarians and humans discussing something vehemently.

- Of course, it is an Imperial celebration. - The Master paused at one of the doors. - I must check the technical compartments and prepare the Adepts. See you later... - With these words, the scarlet robe disappeared into the darkness of the technical corridor, leaving the Commander alone.

The Commander made one last adjustment to his perfectly fitting uniform and took his sword from its hilt. With a glance in the mirror, satisfied with what he saw, the man made his way to the exit. The corridors were filled with intelligentsia in colourful robes, all moving towards the ship's centre. Noticing the Captain, the crowd dispersed, allowing the man to move forward. Soon, bypassing the crowd, he reached the main hall or the room in front of it. Here was the entrance to a podium that rose several metres above the hall. It was used for important announcements and other events like today's. The Captain took a glass from the tray on the platform and slowly climbed the steps. Soon he was on the platform overlooking a huge hall filled with various creatures. They chatted quietly as they waited for the festivities to begin.

As soon as he was spotted below, the voices fell silent, and those present turned their eyes upwards. Scanning the crowd, the Captain began his speech:

- Ladies and gentlemen... We are gathered here to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our great state. Exactly three millennia ago, the Overlord came to Terra and led our people to the stars. In that time, we created all that now surrounds us. We ruled the stars when the Enemy came. - The man was silent for a moment, pondering his next words. - Soon, it will be a thousand years since the war's end. One in which almost all the life that filled the galaxy fell. But we won victory, at the cost of millions of lives of our brothers and sisters! And we have to remember that as we enter a new century! - The room erupted in cheers. - We owe it all to the Overlord. He struck down the Reaper and rebuilt worlds from the ashes! He showed us the way to the stars and the nebulas! He gave us the future! So praise him," the Captain raised his glass, "the undisputed Guardian of the Galaxy.

His response was a thousand raised hands, the glasses glittering in the light of the many lamps like a sea of myriad lights.

- For he leads us!

- AND WE BEAR HIS WILL!

A vast fleet of ships pierced the darkness of space, heading for the distant galaxy of Andromeda. In just two months, the Empire will begin its conquest. And it will crush all who stand in its way...