Exiting hyperspace, Progenitor Orin Volkar and the 88th fleet appeared within the Harrin system which was also located within the Harrin sector. Orin was charged with securing the sector as one of the first parts of the Veldari Imperium's counterattack against the Republic.
They had managed to hold on, defending against the Republic for 2 years while only managing to lose a few million soldiers and a dozen non-strategic worlds.
After reconquering the territory they lost over the past 6 months, it was now time for the Imperium to start slowly invading Republic space. By now, tens of billions of Republic soldiers have been either killed or injured during the war causing the public perception of the war to decrease.
But it wasn't decreasing fast enough, so now the Imperium would start invading Republic space and take a few key worlds to force a surrender.
Standing on the bridge of his flagship, Orin looked out the viewport at the planet while his fleet positioned itself to attack.
"Sir, the intel was correct. They only have a small planetary defense fleet above the planet." reported the tactical officer.
"Good. Begin the assault. Target their orbital platforms first, then move to engage their defense fleet. I want this system secured within the hour," Orin commanded.
The 88th fleet moved forward, weapons charged as they closed the distance. The Republic defenders, numbering only fifteen thousand ships, attempted to form a defensive line around the planet but their coordination was poor.
"They're sending a distress signal," communications reported. "Encrypted Republic military channels."
"Jam it," Orin ordered. "I don't want reinforcements arriving before we've secured the system."
Imperial jammers activated, flooding the local subspace with interference that would prevent any messages from leaving the system. The Republic fleet was now isolated, cut off from any hope of support.
The first volleys were exchanged moments later. Imperial turbolaser fire tore through Republic formations quickly due to how badly they outnumbered them. The defenders fought back, but their weapons weren't doing much damage.
After half an hour, the Republic fleet and orbital platforms were wiped out. Next, the fleet surrounded the planet and prepared for the invasion.
Orin got up from his command chair and walked to the door. "Admiral Kresh, you have command of the fleet. Maintain orbital superiority and provide ground fire support as needed," he ordered. "I'm leading the ground assault personally."
Understood, Sir," Admiral Kresh acknowledged.
Orin made his way to the hanger bay where his personal battalion of Architects waited. These warriors had served him since their creation and were veterans of countless campaigns. Spread out across the invasion force was also his personal Legion 'The Architects' who were Force-empowered engineers that wielded a variety of weapons.
"Brothers and sisters," Orin addressed them, "Today we take the first steps into Republic territory. Show them what it means to face the Imperium's wrath. No mercy for those who resist but remember our protocols regarding civilians. We are conquerors, not butchers."
"For the Imperium! For the Emperor!" the Ascendants responded in unison.
The dropships launched minutes later, escorted by squadrons of fighters. Orin watched through the viewport as they descended through the atmosphere, the planet's surface growing closer each passing second. Intelligence reports indicated the Republic had approximately five million soldiers garrisoned across the planet with the bulk concentrated around major population centers and military installations.
The Republic commander on the surface, General Horace Trent, watched the approaching Imperial dropships from his command center located beneath the capital city's military district. His face was grim as sensor readings showed the overwhelming force descending upon them.
"Sir, orbital platforms are destroyed, and our fleet is gone," his tactical officer reported. "We're on our own."
"Then we make them pay for every meter of ground," Trent replied. "Activate all defensive batteries. Deploy armor divisions to intercept their landing zones. I want every available soldier on the front lines prepared to intercept."
But even as he gave the orders, Trent knew they were doomed. The Imperium had brought overwhelming force, and without orbital support or reinforcements, it was only a matter of time before they were overrun.
The first Imperial dropships touched down in a cleared zone thirty kilometers outside the capital. Orin was among the first to exit, his boots hitting the ground as blaster fire erupted from Republic positions hidden in the nearby forest.
"Architects, establish a perimeter!" he commanded. "Suppression teams, neutralize those positions!"
The Ascendants moved with practiced efficiency, their Force-enhanced suits allowing them to pinpoint enemy locations through the dense foliage. Orin himself advanced toward the heaviest concentration of fire, his lightsaber igniting as he deflected incoming bolts.
A Republic bunker ahead opened fire with heavy repeating blasters, the concentrated firepower tearing through several Imperial soldiers who had advanced too quickly. Orin extended his hand, and the bunker's walls began to crack. In the next moment, he crushed the structure entirely, burying the defenders under the rubble.
"Push forward!" he ordered. "Don't give them time to regroup!"
More dropships landed behind them, disgorging tanks, artillery, and thousands of Imperial soldiers. The invasion force spread out, establishing multiple beachheads across the planet's surface. Republic defenders fought desperately, but they were being overwhelmed by superior numbers and coordination.
In the capital city, General Trent received reports of Imperial forces landing across six different locations. His defensive lines were already crumbling, and the enemy hadn't even reached the urban areas yet.
"General, we're receiving reports that the enemy commander is personally leading the assault," his intelligence officer reported. "Witnesses describe him as... unstoppable. He's tearing through our defensive positions like they're not even there."
"A Progenitor," Trent realized as only a Progenitor or an Ascendant could do such a thing. He'd read the classified reports about these beings; warriors created by Emperor Daimon himself, each one capable of destroying entire armies. "Pull back all forces to the capital. We'll make our stand here."
But retreat proved easier ordered than executed. Imperial forces had already cut off several escape routes, and Republic units found themselves surrounded and forced to surrender or die fighting. The casualty reports climbed steadily as the day went on.
By nightfall, Orin's forces had pushed to within ten kilometers of the capital. The urban sprawl stretched before them; its defensive walls filled with weapon emplacements and soldiers. Searchlights swept across the darkened landscape, seeking targets.
"Sir, reconnaissance indicates the Republic has concentrated their remaining forces within the city," Commander Vex reported, one of Orin's senior Architects. "Approximately two million soldiers, plus civilian militia. They've fortified every major avenue and established kill zones at key intersections."
"Urban warfare then," Orin said, studying the tactical displays. "They hope the dense environment will negate our numerical advantage. A good strategy."
He activated his command channel, broadcasting to all Imperial forces. "All units, prepare for urban assault. Artillery batteries, I want sustained bombardment on their outer defensive positions for the next hour. Soften them up before we move in. Air support, maintain superiority and eliminate any anti-air capabilities they have remaining."
The night sky erupted with fire as Imperial artillery opened up. Shells rained down on the capital's outer walls, pulverizing fortifications and creating breaches for the ground assault. Republic return fire was sporadic and uncoordinated, their artillery positions being systematically destroyed by counter-battery fire.
Inside the command center, General Trent felt the building shake with each nearby impact. Dust fell from the ceiling, and several holographic displays flickered.
"General, they're not letting up," his aide reported. "Our outer defensive ring won't hold much longer."
"It doesn't need to hold," Trent replied grimly. "It just needs to slow them down long enough for... for what?" He stopped himself. There were no reinforcements coming. The Imperium had cut off all communications. They were alone.
"Sir?" his aide prompted.
Trent had to make desperate decision. "Evacuate all non-essential personnel and civilians through the underground transit system. Route them to the northern districts and get them as far from the fighting as possible."
"But sir, that will leave us with even fewer defenders..."
"The civilians aren't soldiers, Lieutenant. I won't have their blood on my hands when we could save them. Execute the order."
As the evacuation began, Orin's forces breached the outer walls. The Architects led the way, moving through the streets like wraiths, eliminating defensive positions before the defenders could properly react.
Behind them, regular Imperial forces advanced in coordinated waves. Tanks rumbled through the wider avenues while infantry cleared buildings. The Republic defenders fought hard, using their knowledge of the terrain to set up ambushes and delay the advance, but from the beginning they were fighting a losing battle.
Orin himself moved through the city's central district, his lightsaber cutting through barricades and defenders alike. He felt no joy in the slaughter, only the cold determination of duty. These Republic soldiers had chosen to stand against the Imperium, and now they would face the consequences of that decision.
A squadron of Republic fighters screamed overhead, attempting a strafing run on Imperial positions. Before they could fire, Orin reached out with the Force and stopped the mid-flight. The fighters crumbled like paper, their pilots dying instantly as the cockpits collapsed around them. The wreckage crashed into an abandoned commercial district, causing smoke and fire to rise from the crash sites.
"My Lord, we've located the Republic command center," Commander Vex transmitted. "Coordinates being sent now. It's heavily fortified, underground beneath the military complex."
"Prepare a strike team," Orin ordered. "Let's end this battle."
Thirty minutes later, Orin stood before the entrance to the underground complex with fifty of his best Architects. The entrance was protected by multiple layers of blast doors and automated defenses, but such were nothing to him.
He placed his hand against the outer blast door, feeling the molecular structure through the Force. Then he began to tear it apart atom by atom. The durasteel groaned and buckled, metal liquefying as he unmade its very essence. Within seconds, a gaping hole existed where solid armor had been moments before.
"Forward," Orin commanded, stepping through into the complex's outer security corridor.
Automated turrets turned toward the intrusion, their targeting systems locking on. Before they could fire, the Architects moved. Precise blaster shots destroyed each turret's vulnerable points resulting in them being quickly destroyed.
They descended deeper into the complex, encountering increasingly desperate resistance. Republic soldiers fought from prepared positions, using the narrow corridors to their advantage. But the Architects' armor was too strong and since they were in a corridor, the Republic soldiers couldn't use heavy weapons to attack them. Each defensive position fell within minutes after engaging the Imperials.
General Trent heard the sounds of battle drawing closer. His remaining staff looked at him for orders, but what orders could he give? They were trapped, their defenses crumbling, facing an enemy that seemed unstoppable.
"Sir, they've breached level three," security reported. "Estimate five minutes until they reach command."
Trent took a breath, then made his decision. He activated the emergency broadcast system, transmitting on all Imperial frequencies. "Imperial forces, this is General Horace Trent, Republic commander of the Harrin garrison. I am prepared to discuss terms of surrender to prevent further bloodshed."
Orin paused mid-stride, holding up a fist to halt his forces. He activated his comm systems, "General Trent, this is Progenitor Orin Volkar. I'm listening."
"My forces are defeated," Trent's voice came through, "Continuing this fight serves no purpose except to waste lives on both sides. I'm prepared to order all Republic forces under my command to lay down their arms immediately if you guarantee the safety of my soldiers and the civilian population."
"Your soldiers will be taken as prisoners of war and treated according to Imperial military protocols," Orin replied. "Civilians will not be harmed provided they offer no resistance. You have my word as a Progenitor."
"I accept your terms. Stand by." immediately replied General Trent.
Moments later, the blast doors to the command center opened. General Trent stood in the doorway, his sidearm holstered and his hands visible. Behind him, his staff had already begun shutting down their systems.
"I am surrendering myself and my command," Trent stated formally. "I request that you honor your agreement regarding my soldiers and the civilians."
Orin deactivated his lightsaber, studying the Republic general. The man stood with dignity despite his defeat, showing no signs of cowardice or desperation. "Your request is granted, General. Order your forces to stand down."
Trent nodded and activated the garrison-wide comm. "All Republic forces, this is General Trent. Cease fire immediately and surrender to Imperial forces. Lay down your weapons and comply with all Imperial directives. This is a direct order."
Across the capital city, the sounds of battle gradually diminished as Republic soldiers received the transmission. Some complied immediately, stepping out from their positions with raised hands. Others hesitated, unwilling to surrender until they saw their comrades doing the same. A few die-hards refused entirely and had to be eliminated, but within the hour, organized resistance had ended.
For the next few days, the Republic soldiers were arrested and placed on transport to be sent to Imperial Military prisons which housed millions of Republic soldiers and thousands of officers who had given up or been captured in the previous battles.
But Orin knew that this was just the start. They still needed to break the Republic's morale and turn the citizens against the government. Once that goal was near completion then they would strike at the heart of the Republic.