Death to the Imperium (Imperium Cicernus) by James McGovern

surface of these walls appears to be made of targon, a type of rock that is
only known to exist on one planet: Lightworld.”
    “I’m
as interested in geology as the next guy,” Glitz said. “But I’m a lot more
interested in how to get out of this cage.”
    “I
hardly think that will be necessary,” Tekka said.
    “If
we don’t escape they’re going to put us on trial!” Doland said. “Come on, man.
You’re the smart one. Think of something!”
    “Since
when did you hear of common criminals being taken to Lightworld?” Tekka said. “No,
no. We have been brought here for a special reason. For some reason, the Navy
has seen fit to bring us to this planet. And I have a distinct feeling that we
will be finding out that reason very soon.”
    As
if on cue, there was the echoing sound of footprints as several men marched
into the cave, wearing Naval uniforms. Behind them, Glitz recognised the five Marines
that had been hiding on the abandoned ship. Tekka had been right; the whole
thing had been a trap. For whatever reason, the Navy had set up the abandoned
ship in the Upsilon system specifically to capture them. But what could the Imperium
possibly want with three common criminals?
    One
of the men pulled a lever built into the cave wall. There was the sound of a
motor whirring, and the cage began to slowly descend. When the cell finally
touched the floor with a dull thump, one of the men opened the cage, pointing
his gun at the captives.
    “Follow
me,” he said. “And don’t try anything stupid.”
    Half
of the men walked behind the captives, and half of them walked in front,
escorting the three men out of the catacombs. Glitz wasn’t thinking about
escaping right then; he was more curious than anything. The men led them along
several tunnels. Finally, they reached a metal bulkhead. One of them inputted a
code into the keypad, and the metal door began to rise. Glitz, Tekka and Doland
were led along a metal corridor, which was illuminated by hot yellow
directional lights. Finally, they reached the end of the corridor, and another
bulkhead was opened.
    They
stepped out into a grand room. It was supported by stone pillars, and fine
tapestries hung on every wall. There were golden bowls, silver statues, and
what looked like a diamond-encrusted altar. The gems glistened in the bright
lights. A long table stood in the centre of the room, which was made of a sort
of glistening black stone. Glitz looked slowly around the room, unable to hide
his surprise. He had expected to be taken into another cell, or maybe even a
torture room. He hadn’t expected such grandeur.
    His
eyes were drawn to the men sitting at the black table. One of the men was
wearing a Navy uniform with six holographic medals, and he was older than most
of the others. From his distinctive shoulder board and sleeve lace, Glitz recognised
him as the First Naval Lord.
    The
First Naval Lord smiled at the men. “Leave us.”
    Immediately,
they saluted, turned, and marched out of the room, leaving Glitz, Tekka and
Doland alone with the admirals.
    “Welcome
to the Admiralty Board Room,” the First Naval Lord said. “My name is Admiral
Maximil. I am the First Naval Lord, Commander of the Imperial Navy. Please,
sit.”
    ***
    Far
across the galaxy, quite another sort of meeting was due to take place in
considerably less grandiose surroundings. A tall man wearing a dark suit was
sitting in the conference room of his ship, the Insurgent . The
conference room was low-key and simple. It consisted of a long metal table
lined with steel benches. The room was devoid of decoration. Everything was
black or grey, and the only colour was provided by the man’s golden staff, which
contained a bright sapphire in the hilt.
    The
man was sitting alone, but he knew that his friends would be arriving soon. As
he sat in silence, he thought about everything that he had accomplished during
his lifetime. Cheated of his birthright and cast into poverty, he had spent his
entire