Part VII

With the massive human resources of Earth and the colossal technical power of Mars the Emperor began the re-conquest of the galaxy. This might enterprise is known as the Great Crusade and it lasted for two hundred years. The emperor’s forces spread out from Earth and Mars, searching for surviving human worlds and driving out alien usurpers. Many long forgotten planets were liberated during the Great Crusade and many worlds were settled anew. Gradually the Imperium expanded throughout the galaxy.

Forge Worlds throughout the galaxy were able to establish secure communications with Mars following the end of the warp storms. Many Forge Worlds were able to contact the High Altar or Knowledge, and many technical advances and discoveries were spread as a result. The position of Mars and the Cult Mechanicus as the leader of the Forge Worlds was reaffirmed and spacecraft began to travel between the worlds regularly.

Many Forge Worlds found themselves at war with alien invaders, especially Orks, now that space travel was viable once again. Although the Forge Worlds were able to help each other to some degree, they were everywhere forced onto the defensive. Some Forge Worlds were destroyed, and many Knight Worlds were devastated. As the Great Crusade advanced it was able to free the Forge Worlds from these attacks. Many an enemy, anticipating slow but eventual victory was totally destroyed when caught between the forces of the Forge Worlds and the forces of the Great Crusade. The liberation of the Forge Worlds was a great military advantage to the Imperium, because their considerable military could be added to that of the Great Crusade itself.

As the Emperor’s forces pushed further and further into the galaxy, the Forge Worlds were able to supply arms and equipment, weapons, spacecraft and other essential munitions to the advancing spearheads. Titan Legions form the Forge Worlds joined the cohorts of the Space Marines to extend the borders of the Imperium still further.

As the Great Crusade reached the edges of the galaxy the Cult Mechanicus founded new Forge Worlds to act as forward supply bases. These new planets soon grew and established their own Tech Guard forces and even Titan Legions. Surrounding planets were colonized from the Knight Worlds, replicating the long-established pattern of the other Forge Worlds.

Final victory was close, all knowledge might be recovered, the Omnissiah was here to lead mankind onward, but it was not to be.