Halo Universe, Prosperous Star.
From outer space, looking down at this Earth-like planet, slightly smaller than Mars, one can see that its near orbit is packed with defensive platforms. Unlike the UNSC's, these platforms have a sharper appearance and a silvery finish, resembling the main cannon array of a dreadnought-class ship. Developed with the help of the Forerunner AI Tranquil Shores and Atlas's own AIs, App and Melissa, these platforms wield powerful orbital beam cannons.
Each platform houses two nuclear fusion reactors, supplying the necessary power for both daily operations of staff and military personnel and the intense energy needs of the beam array. Additionally, ten large fusion power plants on Prosperous Star's surface provide wireless energy to ensure continuous firepower from the defensive platforms.
On top of this, Prosperous Star's Atlas shipyard has stationed newly assembled frigates and destroyers in formation behind the platforms, awaiting their crew and fleet personnel.
Most notable among these vessels is a smaller, blade-shaped dreadnought. Though only three kilometers long and lacking the refinement of a true dreadnought, its quality far surpasses Atlas's existing classes, such as the Fides and Paris classes. Officially designated the "Grandeur-Class Frigate," this vessel is a downscaled, reverse-engineered dreadnought with substantial upgrades. It has a beam array and a warp drive capable of nearly 3,000 light-years in a 24-hour span. Its shield system, however, has been adapted from Reaper technology—a necessary compromise, as Atlas currently lacks the means to fully replicate Forerunner shielding.
Due to extensive reverse-engineering efforts focused on the Ark's teleportation technology, researchers like Halsey, Tranquil Shores, and Cortana have not yet perfected the Grandeur-Class's shield systems. Yet if the Ark's secrets are fully unlocked, Atlas would be close to mastering Forerunner technology. The teleportation matrix on Halo's Earth holds precise records of other Forerunner artifacts, ringworlds, and Shield Worlds, though Atlas's armed forces and research departments have yet to dispatch teams to explore these coordinates due to limited personnel.
Nevertheless, Atlas has now proven its capability to produce a "low-end" replica of a dreadnought-class ship, with the first Grandeur-Class stationed in Prosperous Star's orbit as evidence. Once it passes final engineering tests, Atlas will begin mass production, phasing out the UNSC-modified Paris and Heroic classes, though it will retain support ships and carriers for their logistical value in transporting ground forces and air squadrons.
Paris-class frigates will also remain in service for specific missions. As versatile ships with enough space to transport a thousand Marines, orbital assault teams, and ground and air vehicles, Paris-class ships are highly maneuverable, making them ideal for low- to mid-intensity conflicts. Equipped with optical camouflage modules and often deployed alongside Diana-class stealth vessels, they're well-suited for infiltration and guerilla tactics.
Inside Prosperous Star's atmosphere, the sun rose over the capital, Aldegard, casting soft light over the wheat fields, farms, and woodlands around the city and illuminating its towering skyscrapers. In just three years, Aldegard has expanded fourfold in size, with its population soaring to over three million. When the space gate first opened, Prosperous Star's population was only around thirty thousand, but today, it exceeds six hundred thousand, continuing to grow steadily thanks to numerous factories established by Atlas and the nearby military base, which has drawn workers and their families into semi-permanent residence.
A specially designed, widened Luna-class transport ship, escorted by Ghost III fighters, soared at low altitude over Aldegard. The fleet soon reached the frontline base housing the space gate. From a pilot's perspective, the base was even more "magnificent" and "sprawling" than Aldegard, with its ten massive fusion power plants, ground-based shipyards, and vehicle armories.
After circling once, the Luna transport and Ghost III fighters landed near the command building. As the transport's rear hatch opened, a series of heavy footsteps echoed—a characteristic sound made by a Primarch simply walking. Over four meters tall and clad in rugged attire styled after Terrila, Perturabo, the Primarch raised in the harsh wilderness of Cyberpunk 2077's Night City, stepped out of the transport.
Though not handsome by any means, Perturabo's stern features and steely gaze matched his imposing physique, giving him an aura that was both resolute and extraordinary. Close behind him, dressed in ethereal blue robes with delicate pointed ears, was the elven Queen Tinas and several elven guards. Perturabo immediately scanned his surroundings, seemingly wary of any threat that might arise. Tinas, after all, was like a mother to him, having raised him personally.
Though both Perturabo and his father feared little, he understood the risks of outer space and demon invasions, remaining on edge after learning from his father about Mombasa's demonic attack. He had heard enough to fear for Tinas's safety without her usual magical protections, knowing even a careless gesture from him could harm her, not to mention potential threats from malevolent gods capable of bending reality.
Originally, Tinas was meant to hand Perturabo over to Alexia's care, but due to her heavy involvement in Halo Universe research, she had taken on the role of his foster mother. Thus, Perturabo's closest bonds were with his father, Samuel Young, and his foster mother, Tinas.
"Don't overthink it. I've told you this many times," came his father's voice from behind.
Perturabo turned to see his father, standing at a towering height of nearly five meters, surrounded by ten Thunder Warriors. Despite Samuel Young's imposing size and strength, he had a natural sense of balance and composure, more coordinated than even Perturabo.
App and Melissa, who rarely spoke unless necessary, stood unobtrusively nearby, dwarfed by the towering figures around them. As they left the transport, Samuel turned to Perturabo and advised, "I know you mean well, and I understand your concerns. But remember, those lurking in the shadows will use your worry against you and amplify it."
Perturabo sighed and replied, "Understood, Father."
Tinas smiled, gently patting his hand. "You're a bit too tense, my child. You underestimate my strength. Ordinary spirits pose no threat to me."
Perturabo's face reddened slightly under the dual scolding of his father and mother. He simply nodded, already used to such reminders.
The group then boarded a wide, customized rail train, moving toward the base's core. As they approached, they could see the expanded space gate, now gleaming with a silvery hue, reaching fifty by fifty meters in size. The engineering team had integrated train and transport tracks to significantly improve the efficiency of material and personnel transfers between universes. Soon, they passed through the shimmering, mercury-like portal.
When the blinding white light faded, they found themselves in an underground world, a core relic site resembling an underground city. Countless automated arms, Hex robots, and flying Forerunner Sentinels assisted the engineering team, constructing the area. Since this was to be the main hall of the Imperial Palace, the structure had to be the most fortified and well-designed of all.
Golden flames burned eternally atop stone pillars, while golden torches on the ceiling and walls illuminated the core area as if it were daylight. Four statues of Astartes stood solemnly around a skeletal altar, their ancient forms blending seamlessly with the advanced tracks and machinery in the modernized surroundings.
The Sentinels, and similar constructs from Shield World 0459, had been deployed on Prosperous Star to help Atlas's engineering teams construct the palace. Their presence adhered to protocols under which Tranquil Shores and the Sentinels operated, posing no conflict.
After passing through the core area, the train slowed and stopped at the station. As the group disembarked, Samuel Young turned to the now-adult Perturabo, instructing him:
"Son, the portal opens in four Earth days, and you'll follow my earlier orders to aid the company's reconnaissance teams in addressing the biggest threats in a newly discovered parallel universe. It's time for you to meet your teammates."
Perturabo nodded, moving toward a waiting Luna-class transport to begin his mission. Samuel had arranged this assignment to help Perturabo adapt to his future role as governor of new universes, training him through interstellar battles and planetary conquests across the Halo universe.
Before leaving, Tinas raised her voice to remind him, "Control your emotions, child."
"Yes," he replied, boarding the Luna transport without looking back.
Watching Perturabo depart, Samuel turned to Tinas, saying, "Queen of Losrian, during this time before the portal opens, I'll be handling some outstanding matters. Thank you for raising Perturabo, but it's time for you to return to Terrila and begin implementing the cooperative agreements between Atlas and your Elven Kingdom. Only through mutual assistance can the future Human Empire grow stronger."
"Certainly, Your Majesty," Tinas replied with a respectful bow before departing with her guards to return to Terrila.
Once she was gone, Samuel boarded another train to address his "outstanding matters"—heading to the Avatar universe to either destroy or subdue the biosphere-consciousness known as "Eywa" on Pandora.
Four days later, May 2, 2003, in the main universe.
In a large operations room within the relic base, Price, habitually wearing a boonie hat and with a cigar clenched between his teeth, stood at the front, surveying the group of people seated in the tiered seating area. Removing the cigar, he
activated a holographic display of images and videos, speaking solemnly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the boss has recently opened three portals, numbered 10, 11, and 12. Initial recon teams composed of Hellhounds and Synths have already passed through. The footage they've sent back…"
He paused, scanning the room. "The other sides of all three portals reveal nothing but scenes of apocalypse."
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