Ultranova G4L4XY Drakador_Chaos Dumb Undated_Abyss
RedAndCosmoteer Gladiaxa DarkPearl thebuilder dafeeeeeeeeeesh RandomCommander
As the Commandos approach the SuperDreadnought, one of the ports near them suddenly irises open. Confused, the Commandos enter, only to find a series of open doors and lift systems all the way to the bridge. When the massive blast doors creak open, none of them are prepared for what they see inside. It's almost as if someone had turned the bridge into a blender and made themselves a human smoothie. As they inch forward with their guns raised, the commander's chair spins slowly around to reveal a woman dressed in a admirals uniform, gold braid on her shoulders and a bright diadem gracing her forehead. She'd actually be stunning...if not for the bloody ruins where her eyes should be and the mangled mess at the back of her head. Her face is pale and it's obvious that she doesn't have long to live. When she speaks, her voice is soft and smooth, completely at odds with her gruesome appearance and surroundings.
"Greetings. I am she who once was hailed as Elandra Vos. Listen carefully. The fleet has achieved its objective, the armada is broken and reeling and the Mak will soon descend. They are already spinning their drives to flee and when they do, they will bring fire and death all across the galaxy. You cannot stop this."
The Commandos burst into shouts and start arguing, outraged by her declaration. She raises her hand for silence, and they feel an almost palpable weight fall on them.
"The levee has broken, and the tides of war shall flood across the galaxy. But here at the end, I am free of the machine's hold. Listen now to my will and final command. Gather the lost and the broken. Take the Long Road to Taros and free Alhergus. Only his strength of will has held the true Editors from this fight. When he is freed, the blade must be given and the Angel slain. The hour has grown too late for the salvation of the Imperium, but the people might yet be saved. So here is my charge to you: Save and gather my people, wherever you find them. Have mercy and compassion to the innocent. And bring about the end of the High Imperium, even unto your dying breaths. Kneel now and rise as the Ruin of Empires!"
In the distance beyond the viewport, they can see groups of the Imperial fleet vanishing into FTL, simply ignoring the Solaric fleet as it advances. At the last, only Elandra's command ship is left, even as allied fire hammers into it. She smiles, the sight somehow looking benevolent even without her eyes, and waves her hand as the ship's teleport systems dump the Commandos into escape pods and send them rocketing away. Then she turns the chair and leans back, at peace with herself and the universe as a cannon shell tear into the bridge in a blinding flash of light.
So passes Elandra of House Vos, Imperator of the High Imperium...