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It was a very large fleet. What was more vexing was that it was emitting transponder recognition signals that matched the Word Bearer’s Legion; a legion that was not supposed to be in this particular area of the great crusade. No one said a word on the command bridge. Gulliman watched the view screen with stone silence as if looking for something in the formation.
Severus barked an order to the communications section, breaking the silence. “Hail them and find out what they are doing here. Inform them that Roboute Gulliman commands this expedition and demands to know by whose authority that they make themselves present in this location”
Before the message could be sent a junior communications officer relayed an incoming transmission with a clear and efficient manner. “The flagship identifies itself as the…” he tripped on his own words “…as the Infidus Imperator under the command of Kor Phaeron of the Word Bearers Legion.”
Severus’ eyebrows narrowed. “What did you say that ship was called?” Before he could get an answer, Gulliman was standing. “Helmsman, bring us about one quarter angle. Have all batteries manned and prepared to…” Before he could finish a tactical officer cut in “Multiple signals on an intercept course…incoming fighters and torpedoes.”
In a most coordinated manner, the Word Bearers ships opened fire with hundreds of batteries, blinding lance torpedoes and launched scores of fighters. It would only take seconds for the salvos to find their targets.
Severus reached for a railing. “Brace for impact!”
The initial barrage was devastating. Not one ship in the Ultramarine’s fleet was untouched. Smaller vessels disappeared in massive explosions while larger battle barges and cruisers were crippled, now vulnerable to the incoming fighters.
Alarms aboard the Phallanx were chiming. Half the bridge crew had been thrown from their seats. In the corner, a deck officer was lying in a pool of his own blood, his head crushed by the impact. Severus picked himself up; scanning the area he could see Guilliman was still standing. He was as calm as ever. “Severus, send a signal to disperse the fleet. Helmsman, I want us to get some distance. And have someone check on the Navigator.”
Severus began to initiate the dispersal signal. He knew they had been seriously hit. Weapons were off line, multiple hull breaches. It was a wonder they could even move.
“Lord Primarch! The Infidus Imperator is on an intercept course!”
Guilliman calmly pointed to the panicked helmsman. Bring us about and get behind some of our dying ships. Use them as shields. We’ll move to point one one six two. Severus, get all hangar overseers on net.”
From the Infidus Imperator’s command deck, Kor Phaeron could not help but smile. In fact he didn’t even realise he had a broad grin stretching across his face. Finally. Finally. Finally. Every came together as he had imagined it. Gulliman`s flagship had been critically hit and began evasive manoeuvres through the debris of his shattered fleet. Kor Phaeron turned to Gelstige. “Pursuit course. Order all other ships to stand down their assault on the Phallanx. This prize will be mine.” His prize. It was so close. Gulliman would pay for his arrogance. He would know that all that he had built in the name of the False Emperor would be for naught. It would be an ignoble death for Gulliman. And that suited Kor Phaeron just fine. He would be blown into the oblivion of space. No glorious death. What would Gulliman be thinking right before it happened? No doubt he would be too arrogant to accept that he had been outsmarted and tricked by a lowly non-astartes Word Bearer. Too old to receive the full procedure that turned a normal human into one of the Emperor`s finest warriors he still had the honour of serving Lorgar as one of his most trusted confidants. Some enhancements were made to extend his mortality, strength and such. But he was never truly an Astartes. But now he was so much more. Enhanced by powers that were beyond human understanding, he was more than any astartes could hope to be.
The Phallanx was trying to make a run for it. “You are disappointing me Gulliman. Perhaps the Warmaster overvalued the threat you pose.” He turned to Admiral Gelstige, “We won`t be toying with this one, Admiral, I want a clean kill.”
Gelstige nodded. Gelstige had been in Kor Phaeron’s presence long enough to know what he meant. Serving with this particular Word Bearer meant that his orders were rarely questioned; only acted upon. Admiral Gelstige had originally objected to serving with the Word Bearers but the order came from Horus himself. The Warmaster imparted on him the importance of this operation and that the Ultramarines needed to be crushed at Calth. Still, Gelstige was no fan of serving with religious zealots but he also wanted to keep his head so he never questioned the orders he received.
“Weapons Officer, have all batteries target the Phallanx.” Gelstige turned to Kor Phaeron, “Weapons are ready, my lord. I believe the honour of giving the order should be yours, if I may be so bold.”
Kor Phaeron smiled at the Admiral. He knew that Gelstige disliked serving him but he was an efficient officer and he knew how to cater to Kor Phaeron`s ego. “Very good Admiral, consider the order given.”
And with that the Infidus opened up with all its weapons. Seconds later, where the Phallanx was slowly limping away, a large blinding explosion engulfed the area. Even with his enhance senses; Kor Phaeron was unable to look at it for more than a few seconds. The resulting wave of energy hit the Infedus Imperator, knocking its sensors off line and temporarily knocking it off its course. The explosion’s bright light would linger for several minutes.
Gelstige turned to Kor Phaeron, “Direct hit my Lord! Looks like a core meltdown. We’ve sustained no damage but our systems will be offline for a few moments.”
Kor Phaeron’s grin remained. “Good. See to it, that once we are good to go, we rejoin the fleet. We have a legion to destroy.”
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