Rubedo locked the territorial coordinates into his console. Instead of pulling the ruined architecture across the ocean, he routed a teleportation gate directly to hive. He authorized a partial deployment of the Trinity Hive.
Down in the capital plaza, the crimson banner Iron-Scale had driven into the bedrock suddenly pulsed. A localized tear in the spatial fabric ripped open directly above the fabric. The air screamed as a massive rift expanded across the ruined courtyard.
Krax dropped his rations and hoisted his greataxe. The Vanguard infantry immediately scrambled into defensive formations. Thousands of weapons cleared their scabbards in unison.
"Ambush!" Krax roared, stepping in front of his troops. "Shield wall! Lock the perimeter!"
Iron-Scale stepped between the expanding portal and the Vanguard frontline. He raised his hands to halt the infantry. "Stand down! Lower your weapons. They belong to the Sovereign."
