The Primarch of Liberty

Chapter 14: A Wild Idea and the Ghoul Stars



In the vast expanse of the void, the Gloriana-class battleship "Sweet Liberty" cut an imposing figure. Its sleek, triangular shape contrasted sharply with the gothic architecture typical of Imperial vessels. As the flagship of Battlefleet Liberty, it served as a mobile fortress for the 11th Primarch, Franklin Valorian, and his Liberty Eagles.

The year was 801.M30, and the Great Crusade was in its early stages. Franklin had recently met his newly discovered brother, Horus, who was about to embark on his maiden crusade. But today, the Sweet Liberty had different visitors - a delegation from the Mechanicum, led by Koriel Zeth, the Mistress of Magma City.

"Welcome aboard the Sweet Liberty, Magos Zeth," Franklin's voice boomed with a hint of amusement. "I hope you don't mind if we skip the usual Mechanicum rituals. I find they tend to gum up the works, much like an old-fashioned carburetor."

Zeth's mechadendrites twitched slightly, unsure whether to be offended or intrigued. "Your humor is... noted, Lord Primarch. I am here to observe and learn." Zeth's augmented mind struggled to process the casual demeanor of the Primarch. "Lord Valorian, I am... eager to witness the technological marvels of your fleet. The Mechanicum has long speculated about the advancements preserved within the Independence Cluster."

Franklin chuckled, a sound that echoed through the pristine hallways. "Speculated? I bet those rumors don't even scratch the surface. But hey, that's why you're here, right? To separate fact from fiction... and maybe pick up a few tricks along the way."

As they walked, Zeth noticed the abundance of automatons gliding effortlessly through the ship, performing various tasks with inhuman precision. Her ocular implants zoomed in, analyzing their construction. "These automatons... they appear to possess artificial intelligence," she stated, a mix of fascination and apprehension in her voice.

"Sharp eye, Magos," Franklin replied with a wink. "Or should I say, sharp optics? Yeah, we're not shy about embracing AI here. They're our partners, not our overlords. Kinda like how you view your servitors, but with a lot more personality and a lot less... well, you know."

Zeth's internal systems registered a spike in her cognitive functions. The casual use of AI technology was heretical by Mechanicum standards, yet here it was, integrated seamlessly into every aspect of ship operations. "This goes against the tenets of the Cult Mechanicus," she murmured.

Franklin's expression turned serious for a moment. "Look, Zeth, I know this is a lot to take in. But ask yourself: what's the real goal here? Advancement of humanity or adherence to dogma? Sometimes, to move forward, we've got to challenge what we think we know."

They entered a vast chamber filled with holographic displays and bustling with activity. Scientists in simple, unaugmented attire moved about, engaged in deep discussions and complex calculations.

"Welcome to the brain trust," Franklin announced proudly. "Let me introduce you to some of the minds that keep us at the cutting edge." He gestured to three individuals approaching, each accompanied by floating AI assistants. "Meet Dr. Elara Chen, head of bio-engineering; Dr. Marcus Hawthorne, our voidship engineering guru; and Dr. Hiromi Suzuki, cybernetics extraordinaire."

Zeth's augmented eyes widened as she processed the lack of significant augmentations on the scientists. "But... how? Their cognitive capabilities must be severely limited without proper enhancements."

Dr. Chen stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with intelligence. "On the contrary, Magos. Our minds have been hyper-evolved through careful genetic manipulation and cognitive training. We find that preserving our humanity allows for greater innovation."

Franklin nodded, "You see, Magos, we believe in the power of flesh and evolution. It's a bit different from your metal and machine doctrine, but hey, variety is the spice of life, right?"

As they toured the ship, Zeth's disbelief grew. AI systems integrated seamlessly with human crew, automatons performed complex tasks without supervision, and the sheer computational power on display was staggering.

"This... this is heresy," Zeth muttered, but her voice lacked conviction.

Franklin raised an eyebrow. "Is it heresy to use the gifts of human ingenuity? To push the boundaries of what's possible? I thought that was the whole point of the Mechanicum."

Zeth found herself torn. Everything she saw challenged her beliefs, yet the potential for advancement was undeniable. As they reached the ship's main laboratory, she made a decision.

"Lord Primarch, I have a proposition," Zeth began, her voice low. "I've been working on a concept - the Akashic Reader. It could potentially access the sum of all knowledge in the universe through the Warp."

Franklin's eyes lit up. "Now that sounds interesting. Tell me more."

Franklin listened intently as Koriel Zeth explained her concept of the Akashic reader, his eyes widening with each detail. As she finished, a mischievous grin spread across his face. Franklin's scientific team listened intently, taking notes and discussing possibilities. The Primarch's mind raced, considering the implications.

"Well, hot damn!" he exclaimed, slapping his knee. "And here I thought we were just going to trade some cool tech specs. You've gone and dropped a cosmic knowledge bomb on us,

Magos!"

He turned to his "Egg Heads," as he affectionately called them. "You getting all this, folks? This is some next-level stuff right here."

Dr. Chen was already furiously scribbling notes on a holographic display. "Fascinating," she muttered. "The implications for information processing alone are staggering."

Franklin's mind was racing. A powerful empath... access to all knowledge in the universe... His father's face flashed in his mind, "A powerful empath, you say?" Franklin mused. "Well, I happen to know the strongest psyker in the galaxy. How about we take this idea straight to my father?"

Before Zeth could fully process what was happening, she found herself en route to Terra. The speed at which Franklin operated, the weight his words carried, it was all overwhelming. The Primarch's easy access to the Emperor was shocking, but not as shocking as what came next.

In the heart of the Imperial Palace, Franklin strode into the Emperor's private chambers as if he owned the place. "Hey, Dad!" he called out cheerfully. "I brought you a present. Well, more of an idea, really. But I think you're going to like it."

The Emperor, a being of immense power and majesty, turned to face his son. To Zeth's utter astonishment, a warm smile spread across the Master of Mankind's face. "Franklin," he said, his voice filled with genuine affection. "What mischief have you brought me this time?"

As Franklin explained Zeth's idea, the Emperor's expression grew serious. He called for Malcador the Sigillite, and within hours, Zeth found herself at the head of a new, top-secret project, working directly under the watchful eyes of the Emperor and his most trusted advisor.

As preparations for the Akashic Reader began, Franklin prepared to return to his fleet. "Well, looks like my work here is done," he said with a grin. "Time to get back to the old crusade. You know how it is, Dad. Worlds to liberate, xenos to boom-stick, the usual."

The Emperor nodded, placing a hand on Franklin's shoulder. "Be safe, my son. And... thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your insight, as always, is invaluable."

Back aboard the Sweet Liberty, as the ship prepared to enter the Warp, Franklin looked out at the stars once more. "Well," he said to no one in particular, "that was a productive detour. I wonder what other surprises this galaxy has in store for us."

With a flash of energy, the Sweet Liberty disappeared into the Warp, carrying the Primarch of Liberty and his ideals to new horizons. Behind him, on Terra and Mars, the seeds of change had been planted. The Akashic Reader project would push the boundaries of human knowledge, while Zeth's experience aboard the Sweet Liberty would spark a debate within the Mechanicus that would have far-reaching consequences.

As the Sweet Liberty traversed the tumultuous currents of the Warp, Franklin Valorian stood on the bridge, a bemused smile playing on his lips. The events of the past few days replayed in his mind, each memory tinged with his characteristic humor.

"You know," he mused aloud to his first captain, Denzel Washington, who stood nearby, "I think we might have just started a revolution without firing a single shot. Well, unless you count that time I accidentally set off the nova cannon during the tour. But in my defense, that button was just asking to be pushed."

Denzel, ever the straight man to Franklin's joker, raised an eyebrow. "Sir, I'm not sure the Mechanicus would appreciate your cavalier attitude towards their most deeply held beliefs." Franklin let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, come on, Denzel! Did you see Zeth's face when she saw our AI assistants? I thought her augmented eyes were going to pop right out of her skull! It was like watching a cat try to understand quantum physics."

As if on cue, one of the ship's AI assistants, a sleek, floating orb, hovered into view. Its melodious voice filled the air. "Primarch, we are approaching the Halo Stars of the Ultima

Segmentum"

The vast expanse of the Ultima Segmentum stretched before the Battlefleet Liberty, a canvas of darkness punctuated by the eerie, ghostly glow of distant stars. At the helm of the flagship "Sweet Liberty," Franklin Valorian, Primarch of the Liberty Eagles, stood with his arms crossed, a bemused smile playing on his lips.

"You know," he mused aloud, turning to his first captain, Denzel Washington, "I think we've stumbled into the galaxy's haunted house. Shall we call it the Ghoul Stars?"

Denzel, ever the straight man to Franklin's jester, raised an eyebrow. "Sir, I'm not sure that name will catch on with the Administratum."

Franklin's laughter boomed across the bridge. "Oh, come on, Denzel! You got a better name?

Besides, it's got a nice ring to it. The Ghoul Stars... makes you want to tell spooky stories around a campfire, doesn't it?"

As if on cue, the ship's sensors blared to life. Sovereign, the AI, spoke in its melodious voice. "Primarch, we've detected a distress signal from a nearby planetary system. Initial scans indicate a xenos invasion in progress."

Franklin's jovial demeanor shifted instantly to one of focused determination. "Looks like the Liberty Eagles get to play hero today. Sovereign, prep the fleet for combat deployment. Denzel, ready the troops. It's time to introduce ourselves to the neighborhood." The Battlefleet Liberty surged forward, entering the besieged system with a flash of engines. As they approached the embattled planet, the scale of the conflict became apparent. Swarms of metallic, spider-like creatures swarmed across the planet's surface, overwhelming the

local defenses.

Within moments, the Liberty Eagles were deploying to the planet's surface. Drop pods rained

from the sky, each impact heralding the arrival of the Emperor's finest and sweet sound of Freedom. As the pods' doors hissed open, the Astartes of the Liberty Eagles emerged, and all around them their armor gleaming in the alien sun.

Franklin himself led the charge, his massive frame dwarfing even his superhuman sons. As

they crested a hill, they got their first look at the battlefield - and the enemy they faced.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Xenos swarmed across the landscape, a writhing mass of metallic tentacles and sleek, alien bodies. They moved with unnatural speed and precision, overwhelming the planet's defenders with sheer numbers and savagery.

"Well, aren't you ugly little buggers," Franklin quipped, his dual Miniguns Spitting Death.

"Let's see how you like a taste of liberty."

With a thunderous roar, the Liberty Eagles opened fire. Pulse rifles spat searing bolts of energy, each shot finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The Xenos, for all their speed and ferocity, seemed to melt under the onslaught.

Franklin waded into the fray, his miniguns laying waste to swathes of Xenos with each

ceaseless barrage. "Come on, boys!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle. "These xenos think they can take our liberty? Let's show them what free men can do!"

Nearby, Denzel Washington was a whirlwind of destruction. His twin hyperphase blades, sang through the air, cleaving through Xenos as if they were made of paper. Where Franklin was a force of nature, Denzel was an artist, his movements fluid and precise. "Having fun, Denzel?" Franklin called out, crushing the Xenos head beneath his boot.

Denzel spun, decapitating three Xenos in a single motion. "Just another day at the office, sir," he replied, the barest hint of a smile on his usually stoic face.

As the battle raged, the planet's defenders watched in awe. Their own weapons, a mix of conventional firearms and energy weapons, had barely slowed the Xenos advance. Now, they witnessed firepower beyond their wildest dreams.

Liberty Eagle battle tanks, dwarfing anything in the defenders' arsenal, rolled across the

battlefield. Their massive cannons boomed, each shot vaporizing dozens of Hostiles. In the

sky, Eagle fighters and bombers filled the air, their sortie so numerous they blotted out the sun. Beam weapons and smart missiles rained destruction on the Xenos hordes.

A group of local soldiers, hunkered down behind a makeshift barricade, stared open-mouthed

as a single Liberty Guardsmen strode past them, pulse rifle blazing.

"Holy shit," one of them muttered. "Who are these guys?"

"The cavalry, my friend," the Guardsman replied, his enhanced hearing picking up the

comment. "Courtesy of the Emperor of Mankind and the Primarch of Liberty."

As the tide of battle turned, Franklin made his way to the planet's command center As

Franklin ducked through the entrance, his massive frame barely fitting through the door, silence fell over the room.

"Knock knock," he announced, his energy field casually nullifying the panicked fire from the Defenders "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

The planetary leaders, a group of men and women in what appeared to be late 21st century

formal wear, stared in shock at the giant who had just burst into their sanctuary. The Secret Service, towering Astartes in Mechsuits, filed in behind him, their presence filling the room with an aura of power.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Franklin announced, a grin spreading across his face despite the

grime of battle, "your delivery of one ass-kicking, courtesy of the Imperium of Man, has arrived. I hope you kept the receipt."

The leaders stared, a mix of awe and fear on their faces. One, a grizzled general, stepped

forward. "Who... what are you?"

Franklin's grin widened. "Franklin Valorian, Primarch of the Liberty Eagles, at your service.

And you, my friends, are looking at the newest members of the Imperium of Man. Congratulations! The benefits package includes not being eaten by xenos. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me."

The general's eyes narrowed. "And if we refuse?"

Franklin's expression sobered, though a twinkle remained in his eye. "Well, then I suppose we

pack up our fancy guns and ships and leave you to your new tentacled overlords. But between

you and me, I don't think those Mimics out there are big on personal freedoms. Or any freedoms, really. Probably not great for property values either."

The leaders huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. Franklin waited patiently, idly

tossing a piece of Xenos debris from hand to hand. Finally, the stern-faced woman turned to

him.

"We... accept your offer, Mr. Valorian. Our world will join your Imperium." Another, an older man with a military bearing, spoke up. "These... Mimics, as we've come to

call them, appeared out of nowhere. Our weapons barely scratch them. We've been fighting a losing battle for months."

Franklin's face split into a wide grin. "Excellent choice! I promise you won't regret it. Now, if

you'll excuse me, I have some xenos to exterminate. Oh, and do you folks have any coffee? Warp travel always gives me a caffeine craving."

With that, Franklin strode back into battle, leaving the bewildered leaders to wonder what

sort of future they had just signed up for.

Out on the battlefield, the tide had decisively turned. The Liberty Eagles' superior technology

and tactics were proving too much for the Mimics. Franklin waded through the swarms accompanied by his Secret Service, spelling doom for dozens of xenos, within 100-meters area was denied from the Mimics, overwhelming firepower at it's finest.

"You know," he called out to no one in particular, "I'm starting to think these Mimics aren't

very good at mimicking. I mean, where are the witty one-liners? The snappy comebacks? It's like fighting a bunch of angry vending machines!"

As if in response to his taunt, a larger Mimic, easily thrice the size of it's brethren and glowing

with an eerie blue light, burst from the ground. It let out a piercing shriek, and suddenly the

swarms around it moved with renewed vigor and purpose.

"Oh ho!" Franklin exclaimed, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Looks like we've found the manager. Denzel! Let's introduce ourselves, shall we?"

Franklin and Denzel advanced with purpose towards the Alpha Mimic, their path cleared by the relentless barrage of the Liberty Eagles. The swarm of Mimics, previously an overwhelming mass, was now being systematically thinned out by the disciplined assault of their forces. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt metal and ozone as minigun fire

and heavy ordinance carved through the enemy ranks.

As they walked forward, the path to the Alpha Mimic lay open before them, a demonstration

to the efficiency and power of the Liberty Eagles' weaponry. The ground, littered with the remnants of the fallen xenos, bore witness to the brutal efficacy of their advance. "Well, hello there, big fella," Franklin called out, hefting his Miniguns. "I don't suppose

you'd like to surrender and save us both some trouble?"

The Alpha Mimic's response was a deafening screech as it launched itself towards them, tentacles whipping through the air.

"I'll take that as a no," Franklin sighed, opening fire.

The confrontation with the Alpha Mimic was swift and decisive. Franklin's overwhelming firepower, unleashed with unrelenting precision, tore through the creature's metallic hide with ease. The Mimic's attempts to evade were futile against the sheer force of the assault; its speed and agility were no match for the onslaught of high-caliber weaponry.

As the Alpha Mimic's defenses were systematically dismantled, Denzel stepped forward, his dual hyperphase swords shimmering with lethal intent. With a fluidity and skill honed through countless battles, he moved with practiced ease. Within moments, the once- imposing Alpha Mimic was reduced to a series of expertly severed sections. Denzel's swords sliced through the creature's tough exoskeleton as if it were mere tissue, the efficiency of his

strikes leaving little to chance.

"You know," Franklin stood near the incapacitated Alpha, dodging a vicious swipe, "I'm starting to think this thing doesn't like us very much."

Denzel, in a rare moment of humor, replied, "What gave it away, sir? The tentacles or the

screeching?"

Franklin lunged forward, his superhuman strength allowing him to grab the creature's head in one massive hand.

"Sorry, pal," he quipped, "but it's time for your final curtain call."

With a sickening crunch, Franklin crushed the Alpha's head, blue blood splattering across his armor and even found its way onto his tongue. He spat comedically, a bemused expression crossing his face. "I swear I had some of that on my mouth," he remarked, trying to wipe

away the unpleasant residue.

Denzel chuckled softly, the sound a contrast to the earlier ferocity of the fight. "Perhaps

squishing its head wasn't the best idea, sir?" he suggested with a hint of humor, his tone light despite the carnage surrounding them.

For a moment, Franklin stood triumphant, the body of the massive xenos at his feet. Then, suddenly, the world seemed to blur. Franklin felt a strange sensation, as if he was being

pulled in every direction at once. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in the

command bunker once again, facing the planetary leaders who looked at him with a mix of fear and confusion.

"What in the name of my father's golden underpants?" Franklin muttered, looking around in bewilderment.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Sovereign's voice chimed in his ear. "Primarch, I'm detecting unusual energy readings. Temporal manipulation detected. Cross-referencing with Golden Age of Humanity archives... This appears to be a form of time manipulation not reliant

on Warp energy."

Franklin blinked, his mind racing. "Time manipulation? You mean I'm back at the start of the

battle?"

As the implications sank in, a slow grin spread across Franklin's face. "Well, well, well. Looks

like these Mimics have a few tricks up their non-existent sleeves after all. Sovereign, alert the

fleet. We've got a time-bending xenos threat to deal with."

He turned to the confused planetary leaders, who were still waiting for him to speak. "Folks,

I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I know exactly how to save your planet. The bad news is, we're all about to have a very, very long day. Now, about that coffee..." As Franklin began to explain the situation, his mind was already formulating plans. This was a challenge unlike any the Liberty Eagles had faced before, but if there was one thing Franklin

Valorian loved, it was a challenge.

"Time-traveling xenos," he mused to himself. "Dad's going to love hearing about this one." A/N: An Interesting Xenos Species from the "Edge of Tomorrow" and "All you need is kill"