The Solar System was humanity's place of origin.
It was also the oldest among the many star systems under human control.
Interstellar travel and Warp navigation had been born here.
To strengthen the cohesion of the species, humanity of the Golden Age had built many miraculous megastructures within the Solar System.
The most eye-catching of these megastructures were the Gates of Hades on Pluto and the Gates of Elysium on Uranus.
They were also known as the Twin Gates.
Starships had to exit the Warp beyond the Mandeville Point at the edge of a star system.
If they drew too close to a star system, the conflict between reality and paradox would put the warships at risk of disintegration.
The existence of the Twin Gates broke this rule.
They allowed starships to return to realspace deep within a star system.
Attempting the same thing anywhere else at such a depth would only result in the ship being destroyed and everyone aboard killed.
These two permanent Warp transit points were therefore fiercely contested strategic locations within the Solar System.
After setting out from Mars orbit, the fleet headed straight for the Gates of Elysium on Uranus.
Near the Gates of Elysium, within an open stretch of space roughly three thousand kilometers across,
fine particles gathered into a ring and emitted a soft glow.
Since humanity had created the Gates of Elysium, every starship entering or leaving the Warp here had produced and scattered a soft gray substance that glimmered faintly.
It had a beautiful name: Siren's Dust.
This faintly glowing dust surrounded the Gates of Elysium,
like drifting smoke trapped within a glass sphere.
The Star Gate was guarded at all times.
Several magnificent fortresses floated in the vast, empty void, protecting the Gates of Elysium.
The clan members living within them had borne the responsibility of guarding the Gates of Elysium for generations.
They prevented the possible appearance of xenos armies, as well as Iron Men who had betrayed their oaths of loyalty.
Even as other parts of the Solar System descended into chaos during the Eternal Night Crisis and steadily fell into mutual slaughter,
these hereditary clan warriors remained vigilant.
The appearance of the Imperial Grand Plan's massive fleet within the detection range of the fortresses caused enormous panic.
Since the Iron Men rebellion and the coming of the Eternal Night era, the clan guards living in the fortresses had never seen a fleet of such scale.
The chieftains of the various clans joined together and sent the Emperor a message of inquiry.
Its wording was exceedingly cautious, yet it also revealed a trace of pride.
If the Emperor was unwilling to explain his intentions, they would activate the weapons left behind by their ancestors.
They would resist the invaders to the death,
until the last drop of blood had been shed by every clan.
"I have come in peace, only so that humanity's glory may once again shine upon the stars."
The Emperor was not an impulsive, bloodthirsty man.
He patiently spoke with the guards.
He claimed that worlds such as Terra, Luna, Mars, and Venus had already submitted to the newly born Human Empire.
The Empire had also assembled an unprecedented expeditionary army, swearing to restore humanity's former glory.
Then, the Emperor demanded that the guards swear allegiance.
Under the twin influence of the powerful fleet and his personal charisma,
the guards of the Gates of Elysium expressed their willingness to swear loyalty.
The expeditionary force held a grand ceremony and warmly welcomed the local clan envoys.
When they arrived aboard ancient-style spacecraft and docked upon the deck of the Imperial Grand Plan, the accompanying band began to play the carefully arranged Heroic March of Humanity.
Its melody was majestic, expressing humanity's determination to remain brave and unyielding in the face of hardship and continue fighting.
The Emperor wore solemn golden armor and carried a Longsword and a pistol.
Behind him stood numerous Terra bureaucrats and Adeptus Custodes.
Raven stood on the Emperor's shoulder, watching the clan envoys step out of their spacecraft.
Their faces and bodies were generally pale.
Perhaps it was because they received so little sunlight.
Uranus was 19.8 astronomical units from the Sun.
It was nearly twenty times farther away than Earth.
Light from the Sun took more than two hours to reach Uranus.
The envoys were led by a tall man in red robes.
Half of his face was flesh, while the other half was mechanical, and his eyes were two shining emeralds.
He leaned on an exquisite golden scepter engraved with ancient guardian totems.
He walked before the Emperor and bowed.
"It is an immense honor. You must be the lord of the Human Empire. Please accept our humble praise and loyalty."
"No need for ceremony," the Emperor replied. "It is my honor to receive your loyalty."
The humble attitude greatly eased the tension on the other man's face.
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Aymore, War Consul of the Ancient God's Eye Guardian Alliance. On behalf of all the clans, I welcome your arrival."
The Emperor said, "On behalf of the Human Empire, I also welcome your joining us. In the name of our ancestors, humanity's glory shall surely shine upon the stars once more."
The talks between the two sides went very smoothly.
Aymore signed a pact on behalf of the clans to join the Empire.
Without drawing a single blade or firing a single shot, the Human Empire reclaimed the Uranus region.
Things were even easier at the Gates of Hades.
They were farther from the Sun.
Every settlement there was covered in ice and snow year-round.
After the Eternal Night era descended, the various colonies fell into civil unrest and had no strength to spare for the guardians of Pluto.
They had lost their supply lines, and coupled with technological regression, they found even self-sufficiency difficult. They could only barely survive.
Their heavy duty of guarding the Gates of Hades was sustained entirely by faith.
Fortunately, no xenos had come to invade. Otherwise, they would have seen a group of ragged human guards wielding battered weapons.
The Empire's arrival allowed the guards of the Gates of Hades to breathe a sigh of relief.
Whatever the Empire's motives, at least it belonged to humanity's side.
With the Twin Gates under their control, there were no longer any important strategic targets within the Solar System.
After the torment of the long Eternal Night era, the residents of every colony yearned for unification.
Wherever the Imperial forces went, they received an enthusiastic welcome.
Of course, some rulers of Space Cities and colonies did not wish to accept this so-called new era.
For such people, the Empire mercifully granted enlightenment.
The Adeptus Custodes and Astartes easily crushed the local armies.
They dragged those fools from their luxurious palaces and executed them in public.
The Empire's stance was clear: submit and swear loyalty, or be destroyed.
Before the terrifying onslaught of the great army, the resistance forces of the Solar System were swept away.
The chaotic Solar System was unified once more.
For ordinary people, such an achievement would have been the pinnacle of their lives.
For the Emperor, however, it was merely the beginning.
The Empire began large-scale recruitment across every colony in the Solar System.
Mining facilities built in the Asteroid Belt, the Gas Giants, and the Oort Cloud were reactivated.
They efficiently extracted all kinds of resources from the void.
As a spacefaring species, even after tens of thousands of years, humanity had consumed only a tiny fraction of the Solar System's vast resources.
Enormous quantities of minerals were extracted, smelted into metal materials, and sent to Mars.
Mars's forges also operated at full capacity, roaring day and night without rest.
They continuously produced weapons, equipment, and warships.
Under the Emperor's will, a vast expeditionary army quickly took shape.
Thousands of ships gathered near Uranus, presenting an awe-inspiring sight.
Once the army was ready, the Emperor once again instructed Malcador.
"Take care of Number Twenty. Take care of this newborn Empire."
"I understand." Malcador nodded. "I will not disappoint you."
The Emperor nodded, then boarded a hovering airship under the protection of the Adeptus Custodes and entered the flagship.
Standing before the command console, he addressed every ship that stood ready.
"Set sail. The Great Crusade begins at this moment, and humanity's glory shall once again shine upon the stars."
Under countless gazes, the massive fleet set sail.
They entered the Warp through the Gates of Elysium.
Perhaps because the Emperor personally guided them alongside numerous navigators,
the fleet's journey was exceptionally smooth, and not a single ship suffered damage.
A week later, they arrived at the first star system.
After comparing it with star charts left behind from the Golden Age, the expeditionary force confirmed the system's name: the Petacanas System.
"Your Majesty, we have received a message," the communications director reported to the Emperor.
"What message?" the Emperor asked.
"A warning message."
"A warning message?"
The communications director nodded and transmitted the received message to the Emperor's personal database.
As the Emperor read the warning, Raven, standing on his shoulder, saw it as well and read it aloud.
To our fellow humans who receive this message, please do not proceed any farther.
Petacanas has fallen into hell. Twisted and evil things run rampant here. This is no longer humanity's home.
Thanks to Five Elements Delusional Demon Realm, One Wei What, Emperor's Herald, Annihilation Light Domain, and Chaos Chosen Azaan for their donations. Many thanks.
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