Chapter 164
Tired of trying to convince them, Axel with his Authority as the Emperor and overall head of the Ascendency military had assembled 5 billion soldiers on Requiem which had become a major Military production world that could produce armies of MCUs, massive fleets, and everything military related in a single day. This was one of many world types that had been established within the Ascendency.
He was done trying to play nice with the Senate and allow the bureaucracy to handle things. He respected the democratic system that they had established within the Ascendency to not have a pure authoritarian focused empire. But sometimes a little authoritarian rule is what was needed.
He made a mental note to change the law that was established, restricting his control over the use of the Ascendency military when it came to other galaxies. A law that he willfully agreed on to give the Senate some form of relief that he wouldn't be able to use the military to stop anything that they tried to do.
This was an overall terrible look on things as most of the soldier's loyalty lied with Axel. Hell, some of them joined just because they wanted to fight for him, but they didn't take this into account, which has brought them to this current situation.
On the surface of Requiem, 5 billion soldiers were assembled before Axel. 1 billion of these soldiers were Humans, 1 billion were a combination of all the other Ascendency races, while the last 3 billion were the powerful Forerunner Promethean Knights. As their understanding of the Domain expanded, this allowed them to be able to use the left-over consciousness of all the Promethean warriors that were just sitting in the Domain for a useful purpose.
These warriors were glad to be placed into a body, even if it was a mechanical one. Unlike the regular Prometheans which were just mutated Forerunners, Promethean Knights are bipedal, fully weaponized mechanical warriors designed to operate and eliminate threats in a wide variety of environments. While the Knights are fully machines, their AI is a result of organic minds being transformed into software.
During the time of the Forerunners this was done via the Composer, but there were not many living Forerunners left, so instead the left over consciousnesses of the Prometheans that were sitting in the Domain was used.
Standing alongside Axel was the Ur-Didact to his right, Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree to his left and hundreds of other officers standing behind them. Axel took a step forward as his voice was broadcasted to every soldier's armor, "Today we are gathered here because the Senate doesn't want to act the conflict that is going on in the other galaxy." Axel started as he paused before continuing his speech.
"Millions die every minute that the Senate spends debating on what to do" the announcement came as a shock to every soldier, as one of their many duties as soldiers was to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. So, hearing that millions were dying every minute instilled in them a deep sense of urgency.
"We cannot sit idly by while innocents are slaughtered. The Reapers do not differentiate between our allies and enemies; they seek to annihilate all in their path. Today, we become the vanguard against this darkness. Today, we go and rid the galaxy of the Reapers!"
The soldiers erupted in a roar of approval; their resolve ignited by Axel's words. The sound was deafening, an ear-shattering chant of determination that echoed across the vast assembly of soldiers.
"To my brothers and sisters in arms," he continued, "I will not pretend that this will be an easy battle. The Reapers are formidable foes, but we are more than just soldiers; we are the embodiment of hope! We are the defenders of the Imperial Ascendency and the guardians of those who cannot defend themselves."
The Ur-Didact, towering beside him, raised a fist adorned with intricate Forerunner engravings. "And we shall not fight alone!" he added, his voice as loud as Axel's. "Our combined strength, Human, Forerunner, Sangheili, Jiralhanae, Unggoy and all other species, will prove that we are unbreakable! We have the power of ages at our backs, and we will unleash it upon our enemies!"
The Promethean Knights, their mechanical bodies gleaming under the harsh Requiem sun, nodded in unison. They had long awaited this moment, the chance to fight once more, to reclaim their legacy as warriors.
As the rallying cries grew louder, Axel knew that this was another moment that would forever be etched into history. The defiance of the emperor to protect the lives of Billions.
He glanced at Admiral Xytan, who wore an expression of grim determination. "You understand what we must do," Axel said, meeting the admiral's gaze. "This is no longer about the Senate's indecision. This is about the survival of Billions of lives against a galactic crisis."
"Indeed, Emperor," Xytan replied, his tone steely. "The fleet is prepared for immediate deployment. We can strike the Reapers at once."
"Then we leave now," Axel commanded, his voice resolute. "We will not waste another moment. Gather the ships; let us show the galaxy that the Imperial Ascendency will not cower while billions of lives are in danger of annihilation!"
As the soldier began to board the transport and be loaded onto their ships, a transport ship which was known to be used by the Senate had arrived, landing in a clearing near Axel. A few seconds later, 5 Senators whom Axel recognized as they were part of the faction that didn't want to send billions of soldiers to die in another galaxy.
Walking up to Axel accompanied by their own Senatorial Guard, the senators forgot who they were addressing as they stood in front Axel voicing their complaints. "This is Treason!" Yelled one of the senators, his voice trembling with emotion and outrage. "You defy the democratic principles of the Ascendency, Emperor! You have unilaterally decided to deploy billions of soldiers to the other galaxy without Senate approval!"
"You mistake necessity for treason," Axel replied calmly. "While you argue ideologies and procedures, entire civilizations are being exterminated. As Emperor, it is my duty to make difficult decisions for the greater good of all, including making the call to save Billions."
"But this is not our war!" another senator interjected angrily. "You cannot just drag the entire Ascendency into intergalactic conflict based on your personal whims!"
Hearing that Axel sent a backhand towards the Senator which landed right on his cheek causing him to stumble backwards, his face reddening both from the force of the blow and the humiliation in front of such a massive audience.
"Did you just hit me?" Questioned the Senator as the other Senators faces were just as surprised at such a move that was just pulled.
"First you commit treason, then you strike a senior official!" His rage was building up as the words left his mouth. "Arrest Him!!" ordered the Senator to his Senatorial Guard who didn't move an inch in response to the Senators orders.
"Didn't you hear me, Arrest the Emperor!" He ordered again only to be faced with the same results.
That's when Axel spoke up after seeing the Senator embarrass himself, "Place these two idiots under arrest and throw them in a prison, I will deal with them when I get back" ordered Axel.
The Senators were in shock as their own Senatorial Guard had moved to arrest them. They tried to resist but they were just officials with no combat experience against soldiers who were taller and stronger than them.
Once arrested, they were escorted out of Axel's sight who boarded his own transport and prepared to lead his forces against the Reapers.