“Encoded transmission inbound,” croaked a servitor.
Marduk tapped his console. A message appeared on screen.
The enemy was emerging from the Trajan Belt and expanding its frontage to face the incoming Boros Defence Fleet, which looked pitifully small in comparison, despite the addition of the two White Consuls strike cruisers.
Proconsul Ostorius felt frustrated as he watched the three-dimensional hololith that showed the two fleets closing with each other. His brother Space Marines were out there preparing to face the brunt of the enemy’s attack. Even now the company Chaplains would be conducting their blessings, readying the minds and spirits of the Chapter’s warriors for battle.
Ostorius missed the rituals of pre-battle. He missed the surge of adrenaline as the moment of combat drew near. He should be standing with them.
Focussing on the flashing icon that represented the cruiser that held 5th Company in its entirety, Ostorius clenched his fist. He was Company Champion of the 5th—his place was by his captain’s side. No, he corrected. He was Company Champion no longer; that duty was now that of another. He was Proconsul of Boros Prime. This was his place now.
Still, he felt a sense of guilt that he was not standing alongside his brothers, regardless of the fact that he had never enjoyed fleet engagements. He disliked them for the same reason that he always felt a vague unease being carried into the thick of battle within the Rhinos, Land Raiders, Thunderhawks and drop-pods of the Chapter. He understood this unease. In the mayhem of the battlefield, amidst the roar of chainswords, the screams of the dying and the ramble of weapon fire he was master of his survival, but in a fleet engagement, or while being ferried into battle, he was at the mercy of dangers beyond his control.
He could sense Aquilius’ excitement as the fleets closed with each other. He could understand his Coadjutor’s emotions, for the enemy should be annihilated in the forthcoming battle. The trap was set. As soon as the enemy were engaged, the full force of the Adeptus Praeses would descend on them like a hammer.
“How long, do you think?” said Aquilius.
All contact with the incoming ships of the Adeptus Praeses, Battlefleet Gorgon and the battle-barge of the Grey Knights had been cut, so as to give the enemy as little forewarning as possible. Most of the reinforcements were ready for transference, anchored just beyond the veil of reality. They merely waited the order to come through, and fall upon the enemy.
Yet Ostorius could not help but feel a sliver of apprehension, as if there was something at play here that he, that all the members of the caucus, had missed. He prayed to the Emperor that he was wrong, but he could not shake the pervading sense of doom that was descending upon him. “Not long,” said Ostorius.
Alone, the hulking monstrosity that held the Titans of Legio Vulturus hung back within the protection of the asteroid field, guarded by a flotilla of smaller vessels as the bulk of the Word Bearers fleet advanced to meet the incoming Imperial fleet head on.
The Maledictus Confutatis was at the centre of the formation, with the other eleven battleships of the XVII Legion forming an arc to either side of it, reaching out to envelop the smaller defence fleet.
Hurtling towards the foe out in front were the last remnants of the cult ships, their reactors reaching dangerously critical levels as they expended the last of their energy reserves to close the distance. Not much was expected of them, but the enemy could not ignore them. Even unarmed they posed a threat; a ship could suffer serious damage if it were rammed by one of the slave vessels.
The Imperial fleet swung towards one of the advancing wings of the XVII Legion battleships so as not to advance into the centre of their formation, and the first shots of the engagement were fired. Massive torpedoes were launched from cavernous tubes sunk into the armoured prow of the Imperial vessels, the missiles speeding through the emptiness of space towards the Crucius Maledictus. The Chaos battleships responded in kind, launching torpedoes of their own as the right arm of its force swung around in a wide arc to engulf the enemy.
Hundreds of thousands of kilometres separated the fleets, yet prow-mounted laser batteries opened up, stabbing lances that shredded dozens of cult vessels. Several more exploded in blinding detonations as they advanced into the paths of incoming torpedoes.
The barrage of fire intensified as the Imperial fleet split into two and unleashed the power of its broadsides upon the slave vessels caught stranded between them. Within minutes of ferocious firing, immense cannon batteries laying down an impenetrable blanket of fire, the cult ships were gone.
Swivelling defence cannons mounted upon the battleships of both fleets swung around and began to rain fire upon incoming torpedoes. Fleets of fighters were exhaled from gaping launch bays like angry insects rising to protect their hive.
The fleets banked and turned, altering their trajectory as they reacted to the torpedoes and the movement of the enemy. Within minutes the symmetrical lines of the fleets were disrupted as the battleship commanders manoeuvred their ships into the best attack position.
Dozens of torpedoes were scythed down by the weight of fire from the Crucius Maledictus and the other Word Bearers ships. Others flew wide, exploding upon the walls of the Trajan Belt behind the Chaos fleet. A handful found their mark, exploding upon the monstrous battleship’s forward shields.
The Imperial fleet came back together and swung around to form two fronts, turning their flanks into the face of the advancing Chaos fleet. The ships of XVII Legion ploughed on into the broadsides of their foes, and the battle began in earnest.
The Imperial fleet consisted of a single Retribution-class battleship, the Dawn Eternal, four Lunar-class cruisers and a host of escorts, and was bolstered by the two strike cruisers of the White Consuls. The enemy still heavily outgunned them. Regardless, it unleashed its fury into the face of the Chaos fleet, stripping void shields and crippling one battleship, the Dominus Violatus of Ekodas’ Host.
Flights of Starhawk bombers hurtled from the yawning launch bays of the Imperial fleet, accompanied by Fury interceptors. The boxy shapes of Thunderhawks and larger, heavier armed Stormbirds spat forth from the Chaos ships to meet them.
A furious exchange erupted as the fighters and interceptors engaged. Thousands of las-beams stabbed through the mayhem of battle like needles of light, and bank upon bank of cannon unleashed their salvos, their firepower growing ever more destructive as the fleets closed.
The two strike cruisers of the White Consuls veered off from the Imperial line to target the Dies Mortis, Dark Apostle Belagosa’s ship. They started stripping its void shields with concentrated bombardments. The powerful Chaos vessel began turning on its axis, attempting to bring them under its broadsides.
The nova cannon of the Crucius Maledictus roared like an angry god, and a massive blaze of light comparable to the output of a small sun surrounded its barrel as it fired. The beam of blinding light tore through the Imperial line, engulfing two cruisers and an escort, ripping them apart with seeming disdain.
“Confirmed kill on the starboard wing,” droned a servitor.
“Shields holding at eighty per cent stability,” said another.
A horrific wailing sounded within the bridge of the Infidus Diabolus.
“The enemy fleet is making transference,” growled Kol Badar.
“Lorgar’s blood,” said Burias, looking over Kol Badar’s shoulder. “There are thirty-two vessels zoning in!”
An evil grin split Marduk’s face. They had the Imperials by the throat. By the time they realised their reinforcements were not going to make the jump from warp space, they would have no chance of extracting themselves from the engagement. The slaughter would be glorious.
“Patch me a link through to the magos,” said Marduk.
“Link established,” gargled a servitor.
“Be ready, magos,” said Marduk.
“Darioq-Grendh’al is unabl
e to comply,” came the reply.
“What?!”
“Regretfully that action cannot currently be performed,” returned the corrupted magos’ voice.
“Enemy fleet realisation in progress,” drawled a servitor on the bridge of the Infidus Diabolus.
Marduk swung around and slammed his fist into the servitor’s face. Its skull collapsed like a moist shell, the Dark Apostle’s fist pulping the rotting brain within.
“That was helpful,” commented Kharesh. Marduk glared at him.
“Darioq-Grendh’al,” said Marduk. “Activate the device, now!”
“Re-calibration is required of the support brace X5.dfg4.234g enshrining the device designated ‘Nexus Arrangement’—recovered from xenos pyramidal structure classified c6.7.32.N98.t3, upon planet c6.7.32 ‘Tanakreg’, suspect of mech-organism species NCT.p023423.2234.x, ‘Necrontyr’, origin incomplete—due to binaric system atmospheric inload frequency disparity—”
Now! came Ekodas’ order.
Marduk took a deep breath.
“Darioq-Grendh’al,” he snarled, exerting his power over the possessed magos. “Activate the device now, or we are all dead.”
“Summary: Darioq-Grendh’al regrets to inform Marduk, Dark Apostle of the 34th Host of the Word Bearers Astartes Legion, genetic descendant of the glorified Primarch Lorgar that the xenos artifice device designated ‘Nexus Arrangement’ will take longer to activate than previous estimation.”
“We do not have time to fire up the warp engines for transference,” hissed Kol Badar. “We are committed to this engagement.”
“How long, Darioq-Grendh’al?” growled Marduk.
“Re-calculated estimate: the device will be active in 1.234937276091780 minutes. Clarification: this is an estimated supposition only, and has a variance of 0.00000234 seconds.”
“Too long,” said Kol Badar, shaking his head. “The Imperial fleet could be ten times its size by then. We should never have put our trust in the cursed magos or that damned xenos device. This crusade is going to end in disaster.”
“No,” said Marduk forcefully. “I have come too far.”
The Word Bearers within the bridge of the Infidus Diabolus waited in tense silence.
“Incoming transmission,” warned Kol Badar. “It’s Ekodas.”
“Block it,” said Marduk, foetid ichor dripping from his knuckles. “Darioq-Grendh’al—get that damned thing operational, now!”
“Regretfully that action cannot currently be performed, Marduk, Dark Apostle of the 34th Host of the Word Bearers Astartes Legion, genetic descendant of the glorified Primarch Lorgar,” returned the corrupted magos’ voice. “There is a type XP3.251.te5 code error that requires calibration adjustment of the—”
“It will not end like this!” said Marduk. “Magos, I am sending Burias down to you. If the device is not active by the time he gets there, he will tear you limb from limb. Get it working. Now!”
He swung towards Burias.
“Go,” he said.
The change came over the Icon Bearer in an instant, his features blurring with those of the daemon Drak’shal.
“Launching attack craft,” said Kol Badar as a wave of enemy Starhawks rose to greet to Infidus Diabolus. “Defensive turrets engaging.”
Another incoming transmission from the Crucius Maledictus was rebuffed.
“How close are the enemy from making realisation?” said Marduk.
“Close,” replied Kol Badar, his eyes filled with accusation. You have brought us to this precipice, they said.
“The gods of Chaos shall deliver us,” said Ashkanez. Alone on the bridge, he seemed unaffected by the tension, as if resigned to whatever fate the gods decreed.
A pair of Imperial Cobra frigates were torn apart by concentrated broadsides, and the Infidus Diabolus shook as impacts from incoming Starhawks struck home.
“It shall not end like this,” snarled Marduk. “This is not my fate.”
“Enemy fleet realisation commencing,” said Kol Badar.
Five new enemy blips appeared on the holo-screens. “First realisation complete. Astartes vessels. Two battle-barges, three cruisers. More inbound.”
The Chaos fleet began to splinter, reacting to the sudden appearance of these new threats.
Marduk swore then dropped to his knees as pain blossomed in his mind.
Activate the device now, roared Ekodas.
“We have been target-acquired by the Crucius Maledictus,” said Kol Badar, his voice a warning growl. “Its nova cannon is re-energising.”
You dare defy me? roared Ekodas, making blood ooze from Marduk’s nose, ears and eye sockets.
“This… is… not… my… time,” gasped Marduk through clenched teeth.
Burias-Drak’shal bounded down the corridor, skidding as he rounded a tight corner, his talons gouging deep wounds in the latticed floor. He burst through the doors of the workshop, shattering plate glass.
Magos Darioq-Grendh’al was standing before the spinning hoops rotating with increasing speed around the Nexus Arrangement, his four articulated servo arms spread wide. His mechadendrites waved languidly around him as the Nexus, hanging motionless in the air, began to vibrate and spin. Burias-Drak’shal hurled himself at the corrupted magos.
The red beams of light transfixing the Nexus in place expanded, filling the sphere formed by the spinning hoops of ensorcelled metal so that it looked like a globe of hellish light, a sun with a gleaming metallic centre.
The perfect silver orb of the xenos device shimmered, and glowing green hieroglyphs of alien design appeared upon its spinning surface. The speed of its rotation increased exponentially, so that the hieroglyphs were soon nothing more than a gleaming green blur, and then it seemed to melt and come apart, forming seven rapidly spinning rings.
Green light spilled from the device. As the Nexus spun faster and faster, it let off a keening wail that was at the upper echelon of augmented hearing. The noise was painful, and Burias-Drak’shal roared as it cut through him, Still, he came on. He leapt, bony talons extended to impale the corrupted magos.
In mid-leap, Burias-Drak’shal heard the corrupted magos say, “Completion.”
Then everything changed.
Burias-Drak’shal was hurled against the far wall by the force of the blast from the Nexus Arrangement, blinding white light spilling from it in a sudden, devastating burst. Burias felt the daemon within him scream in agony as it retreated deep within him and his hyper-evolved and augmented physiology struggled to maintain consciousness.
Amid the blinding inferno of light and sound stood Darioq-Grendh’al, arms and tentacles spread wide, and he began to laugh, a horrible clucking sound akin to the grind of rusted pistons.
A ripple in realspace burst from the Nexus Arrangement and expanded outwards, gathering speed exponentially as it grew. It exploded outwards from the Infidus Diabolus and engulfed both warring fleets, knocking out communications and scanning relays aboard every vessel in an explosion of sparks and fire. All those with even a modicum of psychic ability fell to their knees, lesser minds bursting with aneurisms and clots, those of stronger stuff suffering intense pain and temporary blindness. Those who had been peering into the warp, notably the astropaths of the Imperial fleet, fell into sub-catatonic states, their minds wiped of all notable activity, collapsing at their posts.
The ripple continued to expand, engulfing nearby planets and moons. Within seconds it had spread across the entire solar system. Only when it reached neighbouring solar systems, over four light years away, did its strength waver.
“Enemy realisation has failed,” said Kol Badar, blinking at the sensor array in front of him as it flickered and came back online.
A feral grin spread across Marduk’s face, despite the lingering pain and emptiness that the ripple had caused him.
“It worked,” he said.
Kol Badar shook his head in wonder. “The worm-hole has been shut down. The whole of the Boros Gate has been shut down.”
&nb
sp; “Open up a link with the Crucius Maledictus,” said Marduk.
“Warp-link down. Switching to conventional hail.”
“Ekodas,” said Marduk as the hail was received. “I’d ask you remove that target lock on my ship now.”
“Marduk,” said Ekodas. “A second later and—”
“You’re most welcome, Grand Apostle,” said Marduk, cutting Ekodas off and severing the link.
The Imperials had no hope of further reinforcement now, and were committed to a battle in which the XVII Legion held the advantage, despite the additional White Consuls ships that had arrived before the Nexus had been activated.
Yet a lingering doubt hung over him like a cloud. In the moment of activation, something had happened. He’d felt a stabbing pain in the core of his being. It felt as if his link to the warp had diminished. But then, that was a minor thing when set alongside what the Nexus had achieved. He pushed his concerns aside.
Marduk smiled broadly. “Let’s get to killing, my brothers.”
“In the name of the Throne,” said Proconsul Ostorius as the hololith display and all the data-slates bearing incoming fleet transmissions went dead. With a strangled cry the astropath maintaining the link collapsed to the ground.
Coadjutor Aquilius went to his aid. As he rolled the astropath onto his side he saw that blood was leaking from the man’s nose and ears. He felt for a pulse—it was weak. The astropath began to twitch and convulse.
“Repair the links now!” barked Ostorius.
“We’re trying, my lord,” replied a robed tech-adept as he and a dozen others worked frantically over the dozens of consoles and cogitation units.
“Try harder! I need an astropath!”
“None are responding, my lord,” said an exasperated comms-technician.
Ostorius looked down at the twitching astropath on the floor of the chamber. “Communications?”
“Sir, it… it is as if the entire system has been cut off.”
“What?”
“There are no transmission-links into or out of the Boros Gate, Proconsul,” said the man, paling. “We are alone.”
[Word Bearers 03] - Dark Creed Page 8
