Chapter 23: Deploying the Ultimate Force
Chapter 23: Deploying the Ultimate Force
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Year 4: (Mid-2012)
As the conflict with the Revenant Order intensified, William Lin knew he needed to escalate his operations. While the Aegis Guard and Black Sun Initiative had proven formidable, they were still vulnerable to the Revenant Order's ancient enhancements and shadow-based combat techniques. It was time to unleash his father's greatest creations—the Twelve Zodiac Homunculi.
Edward Lin had spent decades perfecting the art of alchemical life creation, designing twelve specialized homunculi infused with unparalleled combat abilities. Each one represented a zodiac sign, possessing unique strengths, energy manipulation, and near-indestructible physiology. They were designed to operate as an elite force, capable of overwhelming planetary defenses and dismantling entire fleets when deployed strategically.
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The Assault on Veil Nexus
In June 2012, intelligence from Black Sun pinpointed a crucial Revenant Order command hub—Veil Nexus, a heavily fortified deep-space station hidden within an energy storm. Conventional forces would be decimated before even reaching the core, but the Zodiac Homunculi were far from conventional.
William personally led the mission, deploying the homunculi in a coordinated planetary-scale infiltration. Each member specialized in different tactics:
Leo spearheaded the attack, generating massive energy blasts that shattered enemy defenses.
Scorpio and Pisces engaged in high-speed assassinations, eliminating key strategists.
Taurus and Cancer acted as unbreakable vanguards, absorbing damage and leading ground forces.
Gemini disrupted enemy technology, hacking security systems with alchemical precision.
The Revenant Order was caught off guard. Even with their advanced enhancements, they struggled against the sheer power and adaptability of the homunculi. The battle raged for hours, but by the time the dust settled, Veil Nexus had fallen.
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The destruction of Veil Nexus was a monumental victory, but William knew it was only the beginning. The Revenant Order would not take this defeat lightly. By mid-July, intercepted transmissions indicated a counteroffensive was imminent.
Unwilling to wait for his enemies to regain the upper hand, William launched Operation Eclipse, a preemptive strike targeting multiple Revenant outposts across the Andromeda Galaxy. The Zodiac Homunculi led these assaults, dismantling hidden supply lines and disrupting communication networks.
By August 2012, the Revenant Order's influence had significantly weakened. However, William sensed something deeper—his true enemies had yet to fully reveal themselves. The war in the shadows was far from over, but for the first time, the balance of power had shifted in his favor.
The Zodiac Guard had arrived, and the galaxy would never be the same again.
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The Revenant's Last Stand
As the Zodiac Guard's victories mounted, the Revenant Order was forced into retreat. However, in October 2012, intelligence reports uncovered a massive buildup of Revenant forces on Karthos Prime, a barren world with deep underground fortresses. This was their final redoubt, the stronghold from which they had been orchestrating their vast network of manipulations and war.
William knew that this was the decisive moment. The Revenant Order was cornered but desperate. Their hidden arsenal of dark alchemy, cybernetic horrors, and arcane constructs would make this battle unlike any before.
The Final Assault
The Zodiac Homunculi led the charge, supported by the elite forces of the Aegis Guard and the Black Sun operatives. As they breached the subterranean fortress, they encountered experimental Revenant bio-warriors, twisted beings infused with ancient, corrupted energy. The battle was brutal, testing the full extent of William's strategic acumen and the homunculi's capabilities.
Leo and Taurus fought side by side, tearing through heavily armored Revenant war beasts.
Aquarius and Virgo used their adaptive alchemy to neutralize toxic environments and counteract the Revenant's deadly alchemical poisons.
Sagittarius and Aries provided precision strikes, targeting key command centers.
As the battle raged, William confronted Zerath Kael, the enigmatic leader of the Revenant Order. Their duel was legendary, a clash of pure alchemical mastery versus forbidden shadow alchemy. William, empowered by his father's teachings and his own Omega-level mutant abilities, managed to overpower Zerath in a cataclysmic finale that shattered the Revenant Order's command structure.
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By the end of December 2012, the Revenant Order was officially dismantled. Their remnants scattered, hunted across the galaxy by Golden Enterprise's forces. William stood victorious, but he understood that this was just one battle in a much larger cosmic game.
With the Revenant Order's influence gone, new threats would emerge, and William Lin was ready. The Universe would soon learn that Golden Enterprise was now a force to be reckoned with.
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Year 5: Dominion and Diplomacy (Mid-2013 – Late 2013)
With the Revenant Order eliminated, William turned his attention to the next frontier—securing Golden Enterprise's position in the cosmic hierarchy. The remnants of the Revenant Order had left a power vacuum, and numerous factions were now scrambling to claim their share. William knew that without swift action, chaos would follow.
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To prevent opportunistic warlords from seizing former Revenant territories, William deployed the Zodiac Guard alongside the Aegis Guard to pacify key systems. Their mission was simple: establish order, eliminate rogue elements, and integrate these systems into Golden Enterprise's growing influence network.
Leo and Aries took command over war-torn industrial hubs, converting abandoned weapons factories into research and production centers.
Aquarius and Gemini secured key hyperspace lanes, ensuring safe and efficient interstellar trade routes.
Scorpio and Taurus handled diplomatic outreach, negotiating with neutral factions and convincing them to align with Golden Enterprise rather than risk an uncertain future.
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Xandar and the Nova Corps Relations
One of William's primary objectives was strengthening Golden Enterprise's legitimacy. While his organization wielded immense power, formal recognition from established galactic powers was essential. In August 2013, William met with Nova Prime Irani Rael on Xandar to discuss an official trade and security agreement.
Nova Prime, wary of the rapid rise of Golden Enterprise, was reluctant at first. However, William's diplomatic finesse, combined with proof of Golden Enterprise's stability efforts, turned the tide. By September, an official agreement was drafted—Golden Enterprise would serve as a private security and economic powerhouse, assisting the Nova Corps in maintaining peace in volatile sectors.
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Challenges and Emerging Threats
Despite his successes, William knew the galactic stage was shifting. Whispers of the Kree Empire taking an interest in his expansion reached his ears. The Kree had remained distant, but their spies had been sighted in former Revenant territories.
At the same time, rumors of an ancient, forgotten force awakening in the deep reaches of space began circulating. Something was stirring beyond the known regions, something that even the Nova Corps had little information on.
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Galactic Chessboard
As William solidified Golden Enterprise's foothold in the galactic hierarchy, new challenges emerged. The balance of power across the cosmos was shifting rapidly, and William knew he had to move strategically. The Nova Corps alliance had granted his organization legitimacy, but now, greater players were taking notice—most notably, the Kree Empire and the enigmatic forces lurking in the deep void of space.
By early 2014, Golden Enterprise was no longer just a powerful corporation. It was a galactic entity with influence stretching across multiple star systems, securing vital trade routes, establishing research outposts, and maintaining peace in war-torn sectors. However, William knew that the true test of power wasn't in conquest—it was in sustaining dominion while keeping stronger forces at bay.
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The Kree Interest
The Kree Empire had remained silent during the downfall of the Revenant Order, but William always suspected they were observing. By early 2014, their curiosity turned into calculated interest.
A Kree delegation, led by Supreme Accuser Ronan's personal envoy, arrived on Xandar to negotiate terms with the Nova Corps. William, having positioned himself as an essential part of Nova's defense structure, was invited to observe the discussions.
The Kree's true intentions became clear:
They sought to reassert dominance in the sectors William had secured.
They wanted to know if Golden Enterprise posed a threat to their long-term plans.
They were deeply interested in the Zodiac Homunculi, particularly their alchemical enhancements.
William played his role carefully—never showing hostility, never showing weakness. He acknowledged the Kree's strength but made it clear that Golden Enterprise was no mere mercenary faction. His empire was an economic and security force, benefiting multiple galactic civilizations.
Ronan's envoy issued a subtle warning:
"The Kree Empire does not take kindly to independent factions growing unchecked. The Supreme Intelligence sees all, and it may one day turn its gaze upon you."
William responded with his own veiled statement:
"Then I will make sure that when it does, what it sees will be too valuable to destroy."
The meeting ended without conflict, but the message was clear—the Kree were watching.
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February 2014 – Shadows Stir in the Void
While the Kree was a known entity, William was more concerned about something else—anomalous readings from deep space.
Reports from Golden Enterprise's exploratory divisions indicated strange energy fluctuations beyond the Andromeda Galaxy. These weren't natural cosmic phenomena; they were distortions, warping gravitational fields, creating disturbances even advanced scanners struggled to analyze.
At first, William suspected the remnants of the Revenant Order were involved. But after sending Cancer and Pisces to investigate, they returned with troubling news—it wasn't Revenant tech. It was something older.
Golden Enterprise's deep-space satellites picked up eerie transmissions:
Strange pulsating energy signatures, resembling pre-war Kree data records.
A symbol of an unknown empire recorded only in ancient celestial lore.
Faint whispers in the electromagnetic spectrum, unreadable but clearly intelligent.
William recognized the pattern—this was the prelude to something powerful awakening.
He had two choices:
1. Ignore it and focus on strengthening his existing empire.
2. Investigate deeper, risking potential confrontation with an unknown force.
He chose the latter.
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March 2014 – The Search for Truth
William deployed Scorpio and Gemini, the two most adaptable Zodiac Homunculi, to infiltrate hidden Kree archives on Hala. Their mission: Find out what the Kree knew about these anomalies.
The data they retrieved revealed a disturbing truth—the Kree had been aware of this presence for centuries, but even they feared it.
A single phrase appeared repeatedly in ancient Kree intelligence files:
"The Celestial Machine stirs once more."
Whatever this was, it had ties to something ancient—perhaps even beyond the time of the Elders of the Universe.
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One Month Before Morag (April 2014)
As William processed this revelation, he turned his focus back to his empire's defenses. His instincts told him that the upcoming months would change everything.
The Kree were watching.
An ancient force was awakening.
And soon, the galaxy would be thrown into chaos once more.
Little did he know, the Guardians of the Galaxy were about to step onto the galactic stage—and with them, the Power Stone.
But that was a story for another time.
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[Status Window]
Name: William Lin
Age: 55/85+500
Mutant Ability: Energy Absorption and Reinforcement (Omega-Level)
Alchemy Proficiency: 90% (Level: Master)
Physical Condition: Superhuman (Continuously evolving)
(Potential: Unlimited)
Enhancements: Life-extension elixir (500 years)
Strength Level: Half-step God-King Level
Health: Perfect
Mood: Confident, Determined
Wealth: Estimated Net Worth: 100 Billion Galactic Units
Property: Golden Enterprise ( Universe Branch)
Affiliation: Golden Enterprise (Heir),
Golden Enterprise (Universe Branch) (Boss)
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To be continued...
(Next Chapter, will be on Earth's perspective again)
( Next on William's Journey in the cosmos will be the "Guardians of the Galaxy and Morag Arc")