Imperial Reckoning: Humanity Return

Chapter 58: The Pact of Steel

Sometime in the future.

The tension in the ship was suffocating, as though the very air within the Phalanx was thick with the corrupt energy of the Chaos forces. On the flagship of her fleet, Primarch Rohanna Dorn stood steadfast, her gaze fixed on the darkened space around them. Outside, Chaos demons clawed through the void, assaulting the shields of the Phalanx and testing the mettle of the Imperial Fists. Even amidst this storm, Rohana's voice was calm but firm.

"Hold the line!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the ship's comms like a blade. The veteran soldiers of the Imperial Fists responded with unflinching discipline, their bolters flaring as they held back the never-ending wave of demonic horrors.

Despite the Imperial Fists’ unwavering defense, the endless onslaught was wearing them down. Rohanna knew they had limited time. Her thoughts drifted to their secret weapon: Lord Commander Shepard, still lying in cryosleep aboard the ship. She quickly made her way to the cryo chambers, where the icy air hummed with an unnatural quiet.

In the chamber, Myrrc Eyrellosor, a dedicated Tech-Priest of the Cult Mechanicus, worked on the cryopod containing Shepard. His face was half-covered in metal, his organic eye intently focused as he calibrated various devices and monitors around Shepard’s stasis field.

Rohanna's footsteps echoed as she approached, her patience running thin. "Eyrellosor," she barked, her powerful voice jolting him from his trance-like focus. "We’re under siege, and we need my brother! Can you speed this up?"

Myrrc looked up, the faint glint of annoyance hidden beneath his mechanical composure. "My Lady Dorn, I’m working as fast as I can," he replied, his voice buzzing with mechanical undertones. "If I rush the process, we risk damaging his neural pathways permanently. He could wake up brain-dead if disturbed too soon."

Rohanna clenched her jaw, glaring at the cryopod holding her brother, Her impatience was tangible, but even she knew the risk was too high. "Fine," she said, her voice softened with reluctant acceptance. "But get it done as soon as possible, Eyrellosor. We need him at the front line."

Leaving the Tech-Priest to his work, Rohanna returned to the thick of the battle. As she stepped onto the command deck, she could hear the cries of her soldiers, the sound of bolters and chainswords, and the unholy screeches of the Chaos demons battering at the hull. Taking her place among her warriors, she raised her power sword and joined them in their formation, her presence strengthening their resolve as they braced for another demonic charge.

“Hold fast, Imperial Fists!” she called out. “Lord Commander Shepard will return to us soon. Until then, we buy him time with our lives if we must.”

Meanwhile, in the present day.

Aboard his flagship, the Emperor himself was on a very different mission. The Emperor’s ship had reached the Krogan Demilitarized Zone—a star system housing the brutal world of Tuchanka. The news from the Citadel Council was promising; they had agreed to investigate the Reaper threat in earnest, thanks to Shepard’s recent reports. But the Emperor knew that such investigations would only go so far. If the Imperium was to stand against the Reapers, they needed powerful allies, allies who would not waver in the face of annihilation. The Krogan were just such warriors.

He was in his chambers, deep in thought about the Reapers. His mind, trained in countless forms of warfare, had anticipated many things, from uprisings to alien invasions, yet the Reapers—a malevolent race of synthetic beings—were different. His mind was pulled from these thoughts by the approach of Captain-General Constantin Valdor, his most loyal custodian, towering and armored in gold.

Valdor gave a slight bow. "My lord, we are prepared. The fleet is in position above Tuchanka."

The Emperor nodded, his golden gaze hardened. "Then let us go. Prepare a dropship. We will meet with their leader directly."

On the surface of Tuchanka, the landscape was as harsh as its people—an endless wasteland of ruins and barren plains. Upon landing, the Emperor and Valdor immediately encountered two Krogan guards, their hardened faces peering up at the imposing figures before them.

One Krogan, Wrev, squinted as he assessed the towering figure of the Emperor, who stood at an immense ten feet tall, his armor radiating an aura of sheer power. "You don’t belong here, human,” Wrev growled.

The Emperor didn’t flinch. His voice was calm but filled with authority. "I’m here to speak with your leader, Urdnot Wrex."

Wrev’s expression shifted slightly, surprised that this being knew Wrex by name. "What do you want with my brother?"

The Emperor cast a glance at Valdor, who stood at his side, an intimidating presence in his own right. “I bring a proposal for the Krogan, one that your brother will want to hear,” the Emperor replied, his gaze unwavering. “But if you’re unwilling to let us pass, my companion here can clear the path.”

The Krogan glanced uneasily at Valdor before finally relenting. "Fine. Follow me."

They made their way through the ruins until they reached the grand, ancient hall where Wrex waited. The Krogan leader stood tall and defiant, his gaze fixed on the Emperor as he entered.

Wrex smirked. "You've got some guts coming in here like this."

The Emperor returned the stare, his expression unreadable. “I have an offer for you, Urdnot Wrex, and your people. One that could change the future of the Krogan forever.”

Wrex crossed his arms, his curiosity piqued. “Alright, go on. I’m listening.”

The Emperor took a step forward, his voice steady. “I am offering the Krogan an alliance with the Imperium. You will be granted full citizenship, and your people will have all the combat they desire, standing with us against a great threat. And,” he added, “we will cure the genophage.”

A stunned silence filled the room. Around them, other Krogan grunted in surprise, and Wrex’s eyes narrowed. “You know about the genophage?”

The Emperor nodded. “A sterilization plague inflicted upon your kind. Only one in a thousand Krogan births survive. With the resources of the Imperium, I am prepared to work toward its cure, no matter the council’s objections.”

Wrex was taken aback. This was a far greater offer than he had imagined. But he was no fool; the Krogan had traditions, ones that demanded proof.

“This sounds promising,” Wrex finally said, “but there’s one thing you’ll have to do first. If you want our loyalty, we have a test.” His eyes gleamed with a fierce pride. “The greatest warrior from your side must face our best in the pits. It’s how we joined the Citadel’s cause during the Rachni Wars.”

The Emperor turned to Valdor. “Captain-General Constantin Valdor will be my champion.”

The Krogan around them cheered in excitement, and Wrex himself grinned. “Very well. I will be your opponent.”

In the heart of Tuchanka’s battle pits, the arena roared with the sounds of the gathered Krogan, eager to witness the contest. Wrex and Valdor entered, each facing the other in the rough stone ring. Wrex charged first, his brute strength on full display, swinging his hammer-like fists with ferocity. Valdor met him with calm precision, sidestepping and deflecting, his movements a blend of defense and measured counter-attacks.

As the battle wore on, Valdor’s skill became evident. While he held back initially, allowing Wrex to tire himself, he soon began a series of swift strikes, pushing Wrex back. Eventually, Wrex stumbled, weakened and finally forced to yield.

The arena fell silent, Krogan and human alike in awe. The Emperor stepped forward, his voice carrying authority. “Is there any further proof needed?”

Wrex, regaining his footing, knelt on one knee. “No. You have our loyalty.” The other Krogan followed suit, bowing before the Emperor.

The Emperor extended his hand, helping Wrex to his feet. “You fought well. Now, rise. Join me, and let us prepare for the war to come.”

With their new Krogan allies, the Emperor, Valdor, and Wrex returned to the flagship, preparing for the next phase in their war against the Reapers. The Imperium’s alliance had just gained a powerful new force.