Concordia IX, Former Homeland of the FUW
Kenthelion gazed at the glowing blue planet in the distance, quietly speaking to himself.
A nearby officer approached and said, "Your Majesty, there is something I wish to report."
"Go ahead," Kenthelion replied.
"Many former members of the Federation of United Worlds—or FUW—have volunteered to join this assault force. They demand the right to personally reclaim the homeland that once belonged to them."
"The Federation of United Worlds?" Kenthelion could not hide his curiosity upon hearing the name for the first time.
"Your Majesty, the FUW was a human-dominated civilization. More than twenty years ago, it was destroyed by the Orcs. Many FUW members have since become slaves to the Orcs," the officer explained. "Furthermore, they fractured after the human federation collapsed."
Kenthelion nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. Count how many have signed up."
"A total of two thousand have registered to form the vanguard assault unit," the officer reported.
"Approve it, but make sure they are certain. This is a one-way ticket. Though the FUW is lost, they were once our comrades. The FUW's downfall must be avenged with Orc blood."
Kenthelion's curiosity deepened. "But how exactly did the Federation of United Worlds fall? I thought the human federation had long since crumbled."
The officer replied, "According to their accounts, the first group of Orcs disguised themselves as refugees and offered a planet for them to settle on, seemingly in goodwill. But little did they know the Orcs slowly encroached on their lands. In recent years, after the human federation's extinction, the FUW survivors were isolated to a single continent by the Orcs and eventually enslaved."
Kenthelion stared into space, determination burning in his eyes.
"Inform the Space Marines to participate in this operation. Let the blood of the Orcs soak this planet once again."
"Crystal clear!" the officer responded firmly.
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"James, this is the last time I'll ask—are you sure you want to join the Space Marines for the landing mission? This could very well be a one-way ticket."
Four terra before the Concordia IX landing operation, an officer stood before five soldiers—former members of the Federation of United Worlds (FUW)—delivering his final warning.
(Note: 1 terra = 1 Earth day. So 4 terra means 4 days before the operation.)
"For many of us, this will be the first time we set foot on our homeland again. And we must reclaim it ourselves—even if it means not returning."
James stood tall before the gathered crowd, clad in his political commissar uniform, voice ringing with fervor and conviction.
"The national flower of the FUW, the Edelweiss, blooms between snow and stone. Like us, it survives in hopelessness—yet it continues to bloom for one purpose: to return home. Like that flower, we too will return to our homeland, whether with wounded bodies... or as names etched into monuments."
A commander of the assault force gave the final orders, voice sharp and commanding:
> "Listen up! You will not receive heavy weapons support once you hit the ground. If you want support, you'll have to wait until the enemy's shield launchers are fully destroyed. Your landing point is the Karsis Prime region, less than 20 kilometers from their main air defenses. You know what to do. Crush them!"
> "Understood!"
> "Board the dropships! Prepare for landing!"
> "For the Imperium! For Humanity!"
In high orbit, the Emperor's warships—radiating divine power—began unleashing their fury, raining plasma fire on the energy shield protecting Concordia IX.
"Our assault will temporarily disable their shield generators. Space Marines and the rest of the strike force—this is your chance. Break through!"
"For the Emperor!"