The Serpentum Imperium realized that after they colonized Argatu they would require a foothold in the outer worlds,they targeted Farnin,an temperate world at the edge of uncharted space that was rich in resources.There was one minor problem however.

The planet was already inhabited by bipedal mammalians the Varanus recognized as Humans...an rather widespread species in this galaxy.They had build a large city on the planet run by an democratic bureaucracy,for years now the Imperium has watched the Farnins  and their way of life,whilst they seemed to be failing as a small spacefaring state due to their leaders being corrupt, preferring their own success over that of those they ruled.So the Imperial Court voted and with the approval of the Emperor they set in motion plans to overthrow the Farnin government and install a recruited local to lead the first vassal state of the Serpentum Imperium.

Out of the many individuals the Imperium watched one stood out for the Imperial Covert Ops agents.An former security officer turned painter who was very vocal over his disagreements about his government.Naturally the state fired him from his previous job as former security chief for the nation's head of state and has since then lived in isolation in a small home on the outskirts of the city.It was here where the Varanus would wait for him and extend him an offer he couldn't refuse.

4th of November 2564.

Douglas Kriel an middle aged man drove home one evening to find his door unlocked,which was strange considering he ALWAYS locks his front door before leaving.Douglas was always an rather cautious man who ensured his small semi-automatic pistol was never far from his muscled hands.

Slowly he pushed open his front door,keeping both hands on his pistol as he sweeped the front hallway,nothing seemed stolen or moved....Then Douglas saw two large shadowy figures in his living room.They appeared not to have noticed him and he used the darkness of the room to take cover behind a bar table that led to his kitchen.His heart sank as the unknown figures spoke with deep voices.

"Come out Mr Kriel we shall not harm you....I want to make you an offer." they reassured.

Kriel considered his options but then stood from his cover and aimed at the figures whom as of yet were unidentifiable in the darkness but seemed to be unarmed.

"Don't move alright....I've had military tra......"

The seated figure interrupted him "Training yes....You also disagree with how your government handles situations and prefer a more hands-on approach rather then to sit around debating an issue....."

Kriel lowered his weapon. "How did you........Who are you?" He started to move towards the switch that activated the living room lighting.Once he switched on the lights he raised his pistol again towards the strange alien reptilians.

He focused his aim towards the black-scaled one that was standing,it kept it's right arm towards it's hip probably to grab some form of weapon whilst the other figure was a bright-red colour who seemed calm despite Kriel's hostility.

"Please Mr Kriel put away that weapon,we come to extend an offer not to kill or kidnap you." The red-scaled Varanus assured once again.

The black-scaled one however kept an slitted eye on Kriel despite him holstering his weapon as asked.The red-scaled reptilian motioned for Kriel to take a seat on the large leather couch opposite him.

Kriel sat down as sighed...He needed a break after today's work....He then looked towards the red-scaled figure who kept on staring at him only looking away to quickly scan through his room.He then looked back to Kriel with intent his exterior canines slightly twisting upwards as he smiled.

"Mr Kriel what if I told you that you and you alone can change your world,no more debates or inter-political conflicts....We offer you an chance to get things done.....We wish to recruit you......."

"Recruit me...?" Kriel asked as he frowned at the aliens.

"Recruit me into what?" He continued

The red scaled Varanus shook his head to the left and the black scaled Varanus left to watch the front door.Then the red Varanus turned back to Kriel. "We wish to make you an citizen of the Serpentum Imperium,my government...In return for your services in creating this planet a part of our empire we will reward you with being it's planetary governor and it will be up to you to rule it as you see fit.."

Kriel was interested but did not enjoy the thought of serving under aliens especially reptilians. "And if I say no?"

"It won't matter,we have infiltrated this planet 31 years ago.....You have an choice to make this world great.All we need is for you to be an figurehead upon which to rally dissidents and overthrow the current goverment to establish the first duchy of the Imperium."

Kriel then raised his eyebrow. "Wait why not control the planet directly?" an question the Varanus nodded to

"Good question,ruling a world takes alot of administration and resources.....Instead of ruling an Zodarrin world directly we would rather let them govern themselves whilst we control the military and production of the planet.And before you ask....No we have no intention of just exploiting the planet and leaving it's population to rot.Once the duchy has been established your people will be seen as Imperial citizens with the full rights each citizen in the Imperium has. Our wise Emperor feels this is the best way to rebuild the old empire."

Kriel laughed. "Hah,Sounds too good to be true.......What if my people disagree."

"Oh....Don't worry our agents have slowly influenced this world planting the seeds of rebellion....Like I said we need you to light the spark......."

Kriel then asked. "And if I warn my government first?"

"What do you think will happen,either they will denounce you as an paranoid man or my agents will kill you first.....We have been here long enough.....We already have our claws into your goverment.I offer you the final chance.......Join us and become first Duke of this world.....If you don't I'm afraid we would have to take more....extreme methods in annexing this world it's all your choice....."

It seemed that the reptilian's patience was wearing thin and with few options Kriel accepted.

"All right.......Tell me what I must do...."

-A few weeks later-

An hooded figure can be seen running through the streets towards a large gathering....Plastered on the walls are posters of anti-government propaganda,and graffiti depicting the symbols of the rebel movement.Tensions were high and the population on the edge of rebellion,the Farnin Reformation Movement gained much support the past two weeks,after the 'leak' that support exploded into full blown resistance against the state.Police scrambled to disperse large groups of rioters as Farnin slowly became a police state.The once vibrant morning streets were devoid of life with only the sound of the leaves and distant police sirens and alarms left to be heard.

The figure ran past a digital board that showed a wanted poster of Douglas Kriel....50,000 Credits.An meagre reward over that which his movement offered.....It offered exactly what the people wanted.....Economic stability,food security,fair wages,personal security. All things the state failed to offer in the past few years as it's leaders became more greedy and inefficient.

The F.R.M was secretly funded and supported by the Serpentum Imperium with the agreement that they accept vassalage into the Imperium.What neither the F.R.M or Imperium expected was the militant response of the state's police who actively dispersed the rebels with force.....Sometimes lethal.....It was well known to the population that 12 people were killed by police brutality....An act that only increased the support of the F.R.M. With tensions bordering on open rebellion the Farnin Government hired assassins to kill the figurehead of the rebellion.....The beloved painter and former head of security Douglas Kriel. One such assassin was former UNSC marksman Ophelia MacArthur,a disillusioned war veteran who left the UNSC shortly before it formed the GSU. Ever since then she has become an merc for hire in the Outer Worlds.

Ophelia however was unaware that she herself was being hunted by an shadow in the form of an elite Varanus Assassin.

The hooded figure stopped just short outside the large gathering and then turned towards an 3 story apartment building that located left of the city square where the gathering took place.Opening the door and running up the stairs only stopping at the 3rd floor,the figure continued until it reached room 344 at the edge of the hallway.

The figure turned to see if it was followed and only after 2 minutes it opened the door,the entire room was empty except for a briefcase in the middle of the white tiled room and a window overlooking the gathering.The figure closed and locked the door then lowered it's hood....Ophelia then walked towards the briefcase and opened it,inside was an retractable sniper rifle with one clip containing 5 rounds.She began assembling the rifle humming lyrics from various old songs she loved back on Mars.

She then sat comfortably next to the window,taking the time to balance the rifle on the windowsill,measuring wind speed,direction and distance.Ophelia waited.....Waited for that trouble making Douglas to rear his head.

Meanwhile on the opposite end of the street another sniper waited in the distance,it's scope scanning the building windows,then it spotted her...And too waited for the right moment.

On the raised stage in the center of the gathering Douglas stood,with over 4000 supporters at this gathering alone he will give the speech that will rally the entire F.R.M to march on the city center and overthrow the president.

He spoke with inspiring vigor as his words echoed from his podium across the entire city.

"Brothers and Sisters of Farnin! For too long have we been denied our rights...President Erika has shown her disregard for her people....As our streets fill with the unemployed! The sick! The old! Those who according to her is not fit enough for this planet.I say lets go and show her what the people think!"

The crowd cheers and Douglas smiles as he continues

"Today thanks to our benefactors we are able to strike at the very heart of this corruption,soon trucks will arrive each containing crates filled with weapons and equipment that will help liberate this planet!"

Ophelia lined her shot but before she pulled the trigger she noticed something odd.Her target was the most wanted man on the planet,yet he himself had no visible guards.....Then she realized and her eyes widened as she jumped away from the window hitting the tiled floor hard.

A silenced shot soon followed missing her and hitting the door that stood opposite the window,creating a 10 cm wide hole in the centre of the wooden door.

Ophelia cursed under he strained breath......" Damn that was close."

The black scaled assassin adjusted his sights upon Ophelia....He matched his breath with hers...It was a pity to kill such a young thing he thought,it's pink skin looked so soft.....The Assassin slowly placed pressure on his sniper rifle's trigger but just as the rifle fired the human fell back into cover.....

"Parrlok!" the assassin muttered under his breath as he quickly stood and left his spot leaving the rifle where it was.He ran into the city alleyways taking an indirect route towards Ophelia,his shadowed claws carried 2 deadly katars that were hidden underneath a jet-black robe.The assassin bolted across the desolate alleyways coming ever closer towards the apartment with each passing second.

Meanwhile Ophelia struggled to get to her feet,she fell hard upon her rifle straining her shoulder...."Gotta go!" she thought as she stood running....She ran down the stairs panting as fatigue gave way to adrenaline,she had to get out....She did not want to die to a few rebels....demons sure.....Nypherians why not......But not bloody rebels! She ran to the backdoor that led to the side of the apartment. "I knew it was a trap.....Nobody lives that long with that bounty without guards....Fu....

Her words where shortened as she noticed an shadowy figure approuching from the right,Ophelia broke into a sprint to the left and using her momentum jumped and climbed over the 10 meter high concrete wall,she hoped it would slow down her pursuer as she run towards the river.

The Varanus assassin spotted his prey,as he ran towards Ophelia it whispered prayers to Kumakatole pushing it's claws outwards revealing the energized katars,it's quarry had jumped over an rather high wall hoping to escape....But one does not evade him so easily.The assassin jumped towards an tree next to the wall and immediately pushed himself over the wall landing with a roll that broke out into an sprint towards the hooded figure. "Persistent prey....But human....She will tire....." He thought as he began to close in on Ophelia.

Ophelia continued running,her vision became blurred as her breathing became heavier and heavier.She turned to see the black robed figure coming ever closer to her. "Damnit......I need a plan" she thought.

Then she saw the river....And without thinking jumped over the railings into it allowing the current to carry her slowly to safety.She did her best to keep her head afloat but she was tired....Her only thoughts were survival and getting away from that pursuer.

The Varanus assassin however would not be evaded that easily,he looked towards where the river flowed and quickly bolted his way across the pier.He sheathed his katars on his belt and then removed his robe and threw it on the stone pavement to his right,then he jumped into the river.

The crushing sound of water deafened the Varanus ears as he opened his slitted eyes to a world of blue,black and white...Then he pushed his horned head to the surface of the water,and after a brief moment of confusion he spotted his prey and began to slowly swim towards her.

Ophelia panicked as she heard a splash,she turned to see an reptilian creature in the water chasing her. "Give me a break!" she thought.

Meanwhile Douglas gathered the crowd that seemed to have doubled in size as trucks approached stopping next to the plaza,it's drivers eager to unload the crates of weapons and gear the rebels need to storm the presidential penthouse.

"Now is our time brothers and sisters! Take these tools and secure our future!" Douglas yelled as the crowd swarmed to the trucks grabbing weapons before forming a line that walked down the wide road towards the towering presidential penthouse. "Let President Ericka know that today the people chose to stand against the state....The people chose to fight for their future!" His words continued to target the dissatisfaction of the people most of which were once poor and unemployed...rejected by the state's businesses and industries which was contained an basic machine workforce rather then employing the majority of the population.An act enforced by Ericka's administration

It is because of this simple act that the rebellion garnered so many supporters....So many lives fixed upon ending one.......The president of the Farnin Republics....Ericka Hark.

In the distance near the entrance to the ground floor of the penthouse the police set up an barricade and stood waiting with their semi automatic rifles aimed towards the approaching rioters.

Douglas stood in front of the line of rebels,unafraid of getting shot by the police forces who in response ordered that they stand down. "Stand down and return to your homes! I repeat stand down or face lethal action!" The officer on the loudspeaker continued to say aware that his warnings fall on deaf ears.

Douglas and his rebels began power-walking towards the blockade which was only 21 meters away.The police set up a 15 meter warning zone and if they cross it....They would be authorized to shoot the dissidents.Unfortunately for the police the rebels have no intention of stopping and as they crossed the warning zone....The police opened fire....

Shots flew into the rebel crowd but they appeared to walk through it unscathed,what the police did not know is that these rebels carry with them weaker versions of personalized low-impact shields,whilst not powerful enough for large scale conflict it did do the job compared to the low power rifles the police forces used.

"Sir our weapons have no affect!" One would yell.

"Call for backup!" The police captain yelled.

The rebels returned fire,swarming the police blockade with a hailstorm of bullets.The police forces retreated and those who remained were killed by the angry mob.

Douglas ordered his fellow rebels to establish a perimeter around the penthouse,while he and two others went inside to face Ericka,the clinically clean interior of the grey tiled ground floor had several leather couches and a desk where the secretary to the president would have worked by,most people who worked in the administration would have been evacuated...All except the president who would rather sit and watch this all happen in the comfort of her own home.The very thought of just sitting and watching suffering only angered Douglas further.With the help of his new allies he would reshape this planet to become rich and prosperous.

He held tightly on his pistol and nodded to the two rebels beside him wielding assault rifles as they entered the steel elevator......All that stood between them and victory was the press of a button.

*Click* The doors close.

Meanwhile near the outskirts of the city another battle is being fought between the tired Ophelia and the relentless Varanus Assassin.

Ophelia struggled to swim to the edge of the river,her muscles ached with each movement....There was a ladder that led up to the pier,if she could just reach it before the assassin could she might have the advantage.Her pistol could finish the assassin as it would try to climb.....Argh! It was painful for her to leave the water....Her body wanted to just flow with the river...Her mind however pushed her to climb the steel stairs.Her hands slipped every few seconds as she climbed and climbed until she reached the top rolling unto her back whilst breathing heavily.The hard stone pavement felt soft and comforting and she turned her head to her thigh slowly moving her arm to grab the pistol she had holstered there.

She was then stopped by a clawed hand and as she looked up she only saw the monstrous face an reptilian creature....

The elevator doors opened to an luxury suite on the top of the skyscraper,it looked like something out of a dream.....The two rebels that accompanied Douglas walked out of the elevator rifles raised as they secured the room.They motioned to the outer platform where the president stood looking at the city below.

Douglas smirked still holding his pistol as he walked towards the president.Standing next to her on the platform she turned to look at Douglas with a smirk before turning back to look over the city.

"Come here to gloat?" She asked with a tone of hostility

"Hardly....I've come to end this." Douglas replied

"How long has it been Kriel?...12..15 years?"

"17.....17 years since you fired me....And left me...."

"My...Has it been that long" she bursts into a small giggle.

"Yeah......Tell me was it really worth it in the end.We could still..you know fix things."

"No I've made to many mistakes for the people to forgive me......I've tried hard......"

"Why did you sign that act....All this could have been averted"

"Greed....Power....Many things compel us to do stupid things.What is your plans to save our world hm?"

"I plan to make it great again with the help of the Varanus.Aliens.....Their offer is fair compared to what they could do."

"So you are just going to give in?"

"I'm not surrendering my people....I see great potential to be part of something bigger....The Outer Worlds does not have to be a place of criminals and states hiding from the control of the GSU.We can preserve our way of life while serving a greater good."

"That sounds like propaganda Kriel"

"Maybe.....It's too late now to believe otherwise."

"Well....I trust you....Goodbye Douglas and Good luck"

"Wai..."

President Ericka then jumped over the platform railing,falling to her imminent death.In one final act of defiance she denied to chance of having to be killed by rebel hands.The police forces were ordered to stand down and the rebels celebrated their victory.

Douglas stood watching from the platform and then to the stars.Wondering what the future holds.

Ophelia couldn't break free from the Varanus's grip as he picked her up and held her limp and tired body in the air.

"You....Give me quite the run...I respect that....What is your name human?" It asked.

Ophelia refused to speak and looked angrily at the reptilian creature.

"Still you fight.....I see it in your eyes....Tell me do you wish to continue fighting?" It asked

Ophelia nodded but kept looking angrily at the Varanus.

"Well then...You have potential.....It would be a waste to just kill you." The Varanus smiled.

Then he dropped Ophelia,took her pistol and broke it in two..throwing the pieces to the ground before walking back along the pier towards where the square was.

"Leave this world and never return.....Continue fighting and know that you are Zodarrin-Ka." The reptilian left...Sparing her life.

Ophelia remained on the floor confused and tired....She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.She and the Assassin would meet again in the far future....

In the following weeks Douglas and his rebels secured the planet and awaited the arrival of the Imperium's diplomats.

Standing on a wedged landing platform Douglas watched the arrival of strange lights from the night sky,as these lights came nearer he could see the faint outline of an Imperial Dropship...It's design elegant and alien to the human ships he was used to.The ship circled the landing zone then proceeded to land,it's engines humming with blue energy.

The dropship doors opened and several reptilian soldiers clad in Milky white armour took formation alongside the landing zone,their energized pikes towering over their horned heads.

Then two reptilians appeared,one wearing an strange and beautiful robe of some material that reflected the light of the engines and unlike the other Varanidae he has seen this one had large dragonlike wings,another wore an brown robe with a hood drawn across it's head.

Marquis Bor'mak Zarrk and Lord-Scholar Kreem as Douglas would later know them.....

"Greetings Lord Kriel" The unhooded Varanus said with a respectful bow.Douglas bowed back not entirely sure how Imperial Etiquette works 

"I am Marquis Bor'Mak Zarrk,fourth son of the Zarrk Family and the one who will officially do the paperwork to establish your world as an autonomous vassal under the Imperium.The blue-scaled Varanus next to me is Lord-Scholar Kreem one of our most recognized scholars in the field of political science.....He will be your advisor if you wish it to be so.

Douglas was impressed....These aliens went straight to business. "Yes I'm sure the Lord-Scholar would be a wonderful advisor to help Farnin.Let's go inside and finish this."

The Marquis nodded and followed the human to an table where their negotiations would begin.The reptilian guards took positions behind the Imperial delegates whilst the human rebels did the same behind Douglas.

The reptilians shook hands with Douglas and his men before taking their seats.The Marquis began to read a holographic document

"Farnin would be an ideal world to welcome into the Imperium,however our Emperor assures that the human majority on the planet would not be neglected in favour of Varanus citizenry.....By signing this contract Farnin would become an vassal state under the Imperium....The people of Farnin would become Imperial Citizens with the full rights each citizen deserves.This includes but is not limited to.....Job security,food security,pension,free basic healthcare,right to pursue whatever career one wishes and security against hostile threats both internal and external. In return the Imperium expects to receive an tithe to it's treasury,full control of the military forces and industry with the promise that it would never be used against the people of Farnin on stake of our honour. If you refuse these terms we will withdraw our support and move on. This is entirely your choice,should I continue?"

Douglas sat motionless for a few seconds as he thought about the terms then nodded for the delegation to continue.

"On acceptance of these terms the government of Farnin would be known in the Imperium as the Grand Duchy of Farnin with you as Grand Duke...Your title would be recognized in the Imperial Court and gives you as much right as an Viscount of the court.You can vote on issues regarding the Imperium alongside your peers,your children will have claim to your title and the domain of Farnin unless you leave your succession in the hands of someone else.Are these terms reasonable?"

Douglas nodded "It is indeed,just don't screw my people and I couldn't care less."

The Lord-Scholar chuckled and nodded. "You will be an fine leader Grand Duke Kriel.And it would be an honour to serve you."

"You have no problem serving an human?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course not,you are Zodarrin-Ka....In our eyes you are as much Varanus as you are human.Physical appearance means little....Honour and title has more claim and meaning."

"That makes sense I guess." Douglas smiled.

He stood looking down at the reptilians. "I accept your terms."

"Wonderful sign here and we shall take our leave." The reptilian placed the holographic document on the table and pointed to an open space,underneath it was the signature of the Emperor himself.

Douglas signed the document and shook the Marquis's clawed hand,after that the reptilians left leaving the Lord-Scholar behind as he awaited orders from his new lord. Douglas motioned that the reptilian join him on the platform overlooking the city as they began talking about plans for the future.

"Tell me what you think of Farnin....Your true thoughts...."

The Scholar sighed then looked Douglas in the eyes.

"The humans of Farnin have potential,but I've seen firsthand how greedy and self-centered your race is....Report after report your race continues to disappoint....yet.....They surprise us just as much. I cannot say much about what will happen in the following years....But I would be honoured to see both the best and worse your race has to offer." The scholar then turned it's horned head to the cityscape. "Farnin will become rich,the market world of the Imperium..The gateway into the core worlds of the Imperium. I can safely say that this world will become important but I have been wrong before. I'll help guide you to the best of my abilities Grand Duke."

"Call me Douglas.Thank you for sharing your thoughts I look forward to working with you Lord-Scholar." He smiled.

They would stand looking over the cityscape for hours talking before retiring to bed.

In the weeks that followed,the Imperium slowly improved the infrastructure of Farnin building large spaceports and market districts twice the size of most of the city districts.Under supervision and order of the Grand Duke the builders of the Engineering Corps repaired most of the damage sustained during the uprising and built an memorial of Douglas leading hundreds of other humans.

Alongside the memorial an park was built with small busts depicting each of the fallen rebels and civilians who were slain by police brutality during the uprising.The legion and it's enforcers quickly established order and drew out separatists whom stood trial in the human court of Farnin.Plans were drawn to establish an Varanidae minority district on the planet where Varanus citizens can live under the laws of the human Duke.As long as these laws do not discriminate Varanus citizenry or stand against the beliefs and authority of the Imperium.

The Imperium brought officers to take command of the Farnin military force as well as their navy,whilst the Engineering Corps integrated important industries that managed production of military goods and resources.

The Duchy also accepted the Imperial currency called Drakmas which consisted of golden and silvery metallic strips with strange barcode symbols upon them.

The Imperium planned to make Farnin an market world,which will make it prosper economically as well as become the gateway world into Imperial space.It was up to the Grand Duke to oversee the growth of Farnin both as an Imperial world and as an bastion of the fruits of vassalage.

Whilst the humans of Farnin enjoyed Varanus culture they did keep their own cultural identity which helped keep their ethnicity prominent among the various populations under the Imperium in the near future.

-The Next month-

In the carpeted halls of the Central palace Douglas stood outside the doors to the throne hall,several servants moved around him,checking his clothing and facial appearance to ensure that the Grand Duke looked the part

Douglas checked his suited robe,he used his hand to wipe off any traces of dust or dirt he could see before he took a deep sigh. "Well here I go". He opened the metallic doors to an hallway with soldiers and other nobles flanking each other as they await to greet their lord.The nobles stood with their adorned and elegant clothing awaiting for the Grand Duke to acknowledge their warm smiles,the Duchy Guards stood motionless their faces hidden by their helmeted masks and their rifles lowered to the ground as they stood with ease.

As the Grand Duke entered the guards saluted to which Douglas motioned with his hand to put them to ease,he nodded as he passed each nobleman and woman and the sounds of children playing could be heard in the halls.For once Farnin was back to it's past glory....Only now in service to the aliens who were kind enough to allow them to rise up for themselves,as he reached his throne he saw the Lord-Scholar eagerly awaiting him with documents in each claw and a data sphere floating overhead.

Douglas shook his advisor's hand which almost caused the documents to fall out of his grip.To which point both men just smiled.

Douglas took his seat and began his first official day of rule as The Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Farnin.


[END]