Captain Supremacy, the pride of Kenthelion's fleet, stood as the ultimate symbol of the Caelestis Imperium's might - yet its grandeur was tearing its own crew apart. On one of the largest conference decks, officers from six different civilizations gathered, embodying the galaxy's diversity but igniting the fiercest dispute in fleet history.
While the Star Wars officers saw it one way, the Warhammer 40k officers were far from pleased.
The Star Wars officers frowned at the silhouette of a towering church rising from the Supremacy's hull. "Too much," they muttered. "A warship is for fighting, not worship."
Even they found the Warhammer warship excessive. Wouldn't a simpler design be better? If you're going to build a church, why make it so lavish? Why not build a palace on a warship instead?
On the other side, the Mechanicum Tech-Priests stared coldly, their uniform collars twitching. "Without a cathedral, you desecrate our loyalty to the Emperor," hissed one. "How can a ten-kilometer-long ship claim to be the Emperor's flagship without a sacred altar atop it?"
From a corner, a Stellaris diplomat tried to mediate. "This fleet reflects galactic diversity. We need balance - imposing one culture's curse on all will only divide, not unite." Their voice was soft, yet it echoed clearly through the room.
Meanwhile, a Gundam pilot, helmet still on, raised a hand. "Don't forget, we need massive hangars for mobile suits. This ship must support pilot tactics, not just autonomous robots." Next to him, a Halo Spartan calmly added, "Without an integrated Forerunner energy shield, we won't withstand threats beyond conventional galactic warfare."
At the far end, Terran Dominion technicians and Mass Effect's AI EDI exchanged data, merging nanodrones with biotic networks and shield technology. Their discussion was abruptly cut off as the maintenance day chaos began - soon to be known as the "Worst Day in Kenthelion Fleet History."
The Mechanicum started their ritual: burning incense - actually swarms of nanobots - to calm the machine spirits. Star Wars personnel responded by casting soul-control spells from the 2K era. Dominion SCV drones swarmed the hangars, scattering logistics and shouting, "Minerals matter more than prayers!" EDI attempted to infiltrate the ship's system grid for self-maintenance but was accused of being "too close to the Machine Spirit."
The Stellaris faction proposed a "Multi-Galactic Maintenance Committee," complete with budget and bureaucracy. Spartan UNSC suggested Cortana as chief caretaker, sparking conflict with EDI, who refused the title "emotional AI." The Gundam pilot demanded a dedicated mech reactor hangar - "If you can't get me out in three seconds, you'd better die with me!" he yelled, beam saber flashing, ready to slice the deck.
Tensions exploded as the six factions nearly tore the lower decks apart. Nanoparticles dusted the air, warning cables screamed, and wiring collapsed everywhere. In the conference room, the Mechanicus High Bishop and Ecclesiarchy representative openly conversed with Star Wars, StarCraft, Stellaris, Mass Effect, Halo, and Gundam officers - trying to soothe the cultural friction and exhaustion.
All six sides voiced their opinions on these controversial issues, revealing their true feelings and gradually improving understanding. The meeting was critical for all involved.
When the alarm finally faded, the outcome was bitterly ironic: most Star Wars officers and Ecclesiarchy members were laid up in the medical bay; StarCraft, Halo, Mass Effect, and Stellaris officers found themselves in the hospital; and the Tech-Priests, their bodies fully metal, were nearly out of commission. The chaos settled with bitter laughter - after all the arguments, everyone went back to their own affairs, indifferent to other cultures.
Supremacy stood tall once more, its church atop the deck silent again. Beneath the steel dome, the six factions realized one truth: cultural wars could be as deadly as galactic wars - and amid the wreckage of debate, there was no true victor.
Kenthelion closed the incident report with a troubled expression. The corner of his mouth twitched nonstop. This was the fourth time this month.
"What the hell are these idiots doing... again?"
Though tempted to complain, he shoved the report aside and returned to his duties as Emperor of the Caelestis Imperium: signing piles of intergalactic policies and administrative documents.
---
In a distant galaxy...
The warship Meowvantis suddenly appeared before the flagship Supremacy, the embodiment of Emperor Kenthelion's fleet power.
All alarms on the Supremacy blared simultaneously.
> "ATTENTION ALL UNITS! REPEAT! ATTENTION ALL UNITS!"
Panic in the radio was immediately met with coordinated action. Fighter pilots stationed on the Star Carrier leapt into their cockpits.
As the main command center, Supremacy automatically took a central position. The Caelestis Imperium fleet split into five parts, forming a siege formation to trap the enemy's movements.
> "Launch Starfighter squadrons! For the Emperor!!"
Hundreds of TIE fighters surged from the hangars, raining down on the trapped Meowvantis fleet. The enemy fought back fiercely - but their attacks were like stones thrown into the ocean.
> "Focus fire on the enemy's carrier-based fighters! Eliminate their air dominance!"
The TIE squads spread out, hunting enemy ships one by one like hawks preying on desert rats.
> "All warships, open fire!"
That command was the signal. Lines of Star Destroyers unleashed full assaults. The Supremacy's escort fleet, enhanced with technology from wandering Earth worlds, demonstrated devastating firepower.
With Victory-class Star Destroyers spearheading, missile silos and heavy turrets unleashed hell. Any enemy fighter too close was shredded instantly.
> "Siege network established. Destroy them."
Kenthelion's order came through directly. Over twenty Star Destroyers moved to close the formation, creating a perfect trap.
---
On the enemy side, Captain Charles aboard the Meowvantis ground his teeth. His left hand clenched a small locket with a picture of his wife, Chimiri.
> "Damn it... they're really going to trap us here."
Eyes blazing with resolve, he raised his voice:
> "All units! Concentrate your attacks! Find their weak spots! We won't fall without a fight!"
With that order, the entire Meowvantis fleet suddenly scattered like grains of sand. This command had sent their whole armada here. These aliens clearly had no grasp of the bigger picture.
---
Aboard a Space Marine landing barge docked in orbit above Planet Terra Aeterna, the atmosphere was intense but calm. Inside the weapons maintenance room, a Salamanders soldier named Sa'kan rested while repairing his chain sword that had seen countless battles. Other Salamanders soldiers busily forged and adjusted their weapons, surrounded by glowing hot metal and the steady hum of ancient machines from the Golden Age of Technology.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the iron corridor.
> "Sa'kan! There's a letter for you."
A Death Guard Space Marine handed over a letter stamped with the Imperium seal.
> "If I didn't know who sent it, I wouldn't bother delivering this."
Without waiting for a response, the Death Guard turned and left, leaving behind the scent of ozone and burning machine oil.
Sa'kan took the letter with a slight frown. A Salamanders Marine from the 2nd Company nearby approached.
> "Who's it from?"
> "From the twins I saved some time ago," Sa'kan replied, opening the envelope.
Inside was handwriting in rough High Gothic, but sincere. A green Space Marine emblem was clearly printed in the corner.
> Honorable Space Marine,
We now live safely under the protection of the Empire.
Thank you for saving me and my twin, along with our mother, like angels sent from the heavens.
> Thanks to the Emperor for spreading His sanctity across the earth.
I am diligently learning the Gothic language.
> I hope one day to join the Astra Militarum and fight alongside you for humanity's rebirth.
A small smile broke Sa'kan's usually stoic face. Nearby Marines smiled faintly too, as if recalling the meaning of their oaths.
> I hope you will come visit our home someday.
If you have the time to rest, my mother and I would be honored to welcome you as our guest.
> Our family is now actively involved in work for the Empire.
We will soon relocate to a new planet.
> I hope one day we can meet again.
Sa'kan stared at the letter, murmuring softly:
> "Where are they moving to?"
He checked the back for the sender's origin.
> "Human Colony: Vultaria Magna 9..."
Sa'kan remembered the name silently. Once humanity united the galaxy under the Emperor's rule, maybe he could retire on that planet.
What Sa'kan did not know was that he would soon go there - but certainly not to retire.
Because that colony was about to be attacked by aliens.