Editing Al-Sherar Sector War (section)

==Interlude: the Hero Planet Ciban IV==

Following the withdrawal of Amatteir forces from the Ciban system, the Imperial leaders took stock of the situation.  Gaspard Lumey saluted the courage of the civilians of Ciban IV and, in lieu of decorating individuals, awarded the entire planet with the '''Markian Star'''.  The presentation ceremony would be cut and re-cut into propaganda broadcasts; some played up Ciban IV's martial prowess to shame proud warrior cultures, others focused on the civilian sacrifice to play on the heartstrings of more civilized folk.  However the message was spread, the Hero Planet Ciban IV ended on the lips of hundreds of billions across the growing Imperium.

In the Al-Sherar sector, the Imperials were more concerned with their next move.  Gaspard Lumey argued, with his trademark fierceness, for a maximum counter-offensive.  '''Senior Princeps Uthman Al-Farsi''' was reluctant to agree, believing that the Fifth Legion had barely held onto its homeworld until aid had arrived.  No compromise was achieved.  The Legio Cataegis maniple would remain on Ciban IV to protect the population, but its commander could neither persuade Lumey to hold his position nor join the Fifth Legion's offensive.  

Fifth Legion's enemies had their own difficulties.  Ironically, the disaster at Ciban IV would have been more bearable had the invasion force been completely lost.  As it was, the survivors spread talk of the new defiant spirit of the humans.  The warrior caste became edgy, with outbreaks of outright hysteria ranging from mass suicides to the slaughter of human slaves.  Even more surprising was the response of the Amatteir noble caste, who roused themselves from their pleasure-parlours and donned their panoply of old.