Frank Hammond was an Imperial Navy officer with over 80 years of service. Born in the upper spires of a Hive City, his father was a senior Imperial Navy officer, and his mother was a noble lady.
Under his parents' education, he excelled academically from a young age, was loyal and reliable—a good student in teachers' eyes and a good comrade to his fellow soldiers.
Even in this dark, war-torn galaxy, he had a safe and pleasant childhood and youth, surviving decades of warfare, which was quite rare.
He had faced vast Ork hordes, fought Aeldari pirates, and followed the Emperor's Angels in campaigns across the stars.
Most Imperial officers didn't live to his age. He was quite fortunate.
But half a month ago, while using an astronomical telescope, he accidentally noticed eerie natural phenomena on a planet near his homeworld. The originally green rainforest planet had turned half purplish-black, clearly abnormal.
Considering some of the Empire's current enemies could alter terrain, Frank chose to report it. But half a month passed quickly without any response.
During those two weeks, he observed the planet daily. Now, the planet was completely purplish-black, with no green left.
Frank grew increasingly uneasy.
"Has the Administrative Department's order not come down yet?"
Each extra second of waiting added to Frank's unease. The enemy was right next door, yet he couldn't act.
Without the Planetary Governor's order, no fleet stationed in this sector could move.
Let's clarify: currently, the Empire's main military forces are divided into five categories.
First are the Space Marines, the Empire's cornerstone.
Second is the Imperial Guard, also known as the Astra Militarum—the familiar IG grunts, similar to StarCraft II's 50-credit marines. Wherever a frontline needs filling, they fill it.
Don't underestimate them; some Imperial Guard regiments are highly potent.
Third is the Imperial Navy, defending all Imperial worlds in outer space and often conducting joint assault plans with the Imperial Guard. Almost all factions within the Empire rely on the Imperial Navy's fleets for operations.
Except the Mechanicus and various Space Marine Chapters, as they possess their own independent fleets.
Fourth is the Inquisition. The Inquisition's duties are special; they don't fight xenos but deal with... other threats, so they're classified separately.
But the Inquisition includes Battle Sisters, specialized Space Marines, a few Space Marine Chapters, and small numbers of Astra Militarum and Navy personnel.
Fifth is 'Others,' including but not limited to all Mechanicus legions, Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas, Officio Assassinorum, Adeptus Custodes, Sisters of Silence, etc. Their numbers are small, rarely seen on conventional battlefields.
Among these is the Planetary Defense Force (PDF), easily confused with the Astra Militarum. They are planetary militias, equipped and manned by the planet itself, their strength depending on the homeworld's level.
Remembering these, you can basically distinguish the Empire's military divisions.
Of course, the Empire shares common enemies. If a Space Marine fleet is overwhelmed, the regional Imperial Navy will assist. In severe crises, even Mechanicus Skitarii and Titan Legions may help.
This isn't about command or orders; their loyalty to the Emperor compels them to fight together. There's almost no scenario where they see an enemy and don't help.
Often, you'll see PDF, Battle Sisters, Space Marines, Astra Militarum, and Imperial Navy all on one planet. This is very, very, very normal.
Back to the topic. Frank finally couldn't wait any longer.
"No, if we wait longer, only the Emperor knows what will happen."
He chose to personally meet the Planetary Governor. Though his officer rank wasn't sufficient for an audience, he and the Governor were friends, giving him confidence to see him.
Arriving at the most prosperous street in the Hive's upper spires, the opulence exceeded ordinary imagination. The streets were clean and smooth, fine red carpets leading to the Governor's mansion gates. A fountain in the street center bore the Planetary Governor's statue.
The local Planetary Governor appeared young but was over 130 years old.
At the gate, guards stopped Frank.
"Colonel Frank, do you have an appointment?"
"Appointment? I need an appointment to see Governor Munch?"
"The Governor is very busy lately. No appointment, no audience."
The guard was dutiful. Frank was furious.
Appointment? Given the Planetary Governor's schedule, getting an appointment slot might take three years!!!
"Can you at least relay a message for me?"
"Sorry, we cannot leave our posts."
Frank was about to hit someone. Fortunately, the mansion door opened, and a young woman in a noble gown emerged.
"I heard noise. Oh, Grandpa Frank."
"Mary, my grand-niece."
Frank's angry expression turned into a smile. This gentle, elegant young lady was Governor Munch's granddaughter.
"I need to see Governor Munch. Can you take me to him?"
"Grandfather has been busy lately, but I can take you to him."
The guards finally stepped aside. Frank followed Mary into the mansion. Mary led the way, saying, "I don't understand military or politics, but Grandfather recently keeps mentioning the underhive, saying it's unstable, with secret gatherings."
"The underhive has always been like that. When your grandfather and I were young, the underhive was unstable. Back then, people said there were man-eating beasts down there, but no one wanted to investigate."
The underhive of a Hive City...
If you start there, it's a catastrophic beginning, the life-threatening kind.
Suggest restarting immediately. Otherwise, best-case: inhaling toxic fumes or dying from exhaustion. Worst-case: encountering Genestealer Cults, Chaos cultists, being turned into food or décor.
According to Frank, the 'man-eating beasts' in the underhive might very well be Genestealers. The heavily polluted underhive environment easily mutates into twisted monstrosities.
"Grandpa Frank, do you also need Grandfather's help with something?"
"Yes. The document I submitted should have arrived long ago, but Governor Munch hasn't..."
They reached the Governor's office. Upon opening the door, Frank was speechless.
The desk was piled with a mountain of documents so high it blocked the floor-to-ceiling window behind it.
"See, I told you Grandfather is busy."
"This planet has gone mad."
Frank shook his head, hand on forehead. What were the Administrative Department people doing? Dumping all work on the Planetary Governor?!
But today, he had to report this to Munch. Otherwise, he couldn't rest.