Hey guys. This is my first fanfic for Warhammer so don't be mad if it's ugly 

Revies are appreciated, flames will be ignored :-P

Don't mind mistakes, I'm german and it can happen

Chapter 1: The end is the beginning

Location: System XE34127

Date: 243.M42

Lance turrets were blazing back and forth in a ballet of light and destruction, macro cannon shells were plunging through armor and bodies, starfighters and bombers flying between city-sized Battleships. He saw pilots die, crews, fellow members on his own ship and his fleet. His enemy was outnumbering him. He saw demon faces on the ships of the enemy, the fleet of the great foe of mankind . . . CHAOS. He was sitting in the captain's chair of the Retribution class battleship Revenge of Cadia, overseeing the battle as it waged back and forth.

His own fleet, containing several ships of all classes. Suddenly the Lunar Class Cruiser Selonias Pride on his right side exploded in a bright flash, its debris colliding with his own ship.

"Sensors, which enemy ship destroyed the Lunar?"

"The enemy's flagship, Sir. The Interminable Fear."

He shivered. That ship was well-known to the fleets of the whole Segmentum Obscurus. During the 13th black crusade, it and its accompanying fleet destroyed a lot of convoys and battleships.

"I want that ship dead. Helm, bring us around. Prepare broadside."

With the elegance of a mountain the mighty ship turned slowly, bringing its huge amount of deadly weapons onto his enemy.

"Admiral, the Desolator turns too. It seems they had the same idea."

"Then turn faster so we can shoot first."

During the longest seconds of his life, the ship finished its turn. So did the Desolator.

"FIRE".

In a brilliant flash of light his Retribution fired. The lance turrets hit the Desolators void shields, stripping them off completely. The weapon batteries ripped out armor and internal structure, killing a few weapon batteries too. But he could sense that it wasn't enough to save his already weakened ship from destruction if the Desolator fired.

"Torpedoes!" yelled the sensor officer.

"Where from?"

"Behind us. Friend foe indication shows they're from one of our escorts, targeted on the Interminable Fear".

But it was too late. As the torpedoes passed by the Revenge of Cadia, the Desolator fired its broadside. He felt as if he was lifted in the air as the fire struck in. The next words from the technical officer seemed to be far away for his ears.

"Damage on all decks. Fire in the backboard ammunition magazines."

He didn't need to hear it. He could feel his ship dying. On the main screen he saw the torpedoes of the escort striking home on the Desolator. A giant explosion ripped it apart, the prow even piercing into one of the Styx Cruisers that appeared next to it, shredding it into half. This was the last he saw as his ship exploded beneath him, sending a shockwave of fire through the bridge, killing everyone including himself.

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Location: Somewhere close the eye of terror

Date: unknown

He was old. Very old. Older than the universe itself. He sat on his throne, seeing a complex structure of timelines and possibilities like a spider's web in front of him. So many plans, so many ploys. He always manipulated everyone in order to maintain and enlarge his own power and the power of his master. He was Aemos. A Changer of Ways. Possibly the oldest demon of Tzeentch existing. If there is a true Demon Prince, it's him. Many other lesser Demons tried to usurp his position. All who tried failed and their essence dissolved.

His realm was close directly to the eye of terror. When Slaanesh was born, his birth cry opened a passage between the warp and the real space, creating a region of true chaos. In the warp, 8 different dimensions existed. In real space, there were four. But here, they combined to mind-tormenting 12 dimensions. Here he felt safe and here, no one could harm him.

He could see into the future. He had always fun to get into the way of his gods rivals. One knot of the web highly interested him. He saw a loose alliance between all powers of chaos to help a former elite soldier fighting the Imperium of mankind. Even with the powers united, the Imperium will somehow prevail. He threw that aside. More interesting was what was lying beyond that knot. With the purpose gone the united powers split up again. And one champion of the god of war would mount a search for an artifact that could turn the tide in the everlasting battle between the powers of the warp. And after realizing what this Champion was looking for Aemos for the first time in uncounted millennia experienced an emotion largely unknown to him… fear.

He couldn't let that happen. Thinking about numerous possibilities, he started planning to disturb this petty little champion when the time came. All he needed was the help of several individuals of different races, especially one who was an heir to one of their greatest heroes.

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Location: Cypra Mundi Naval Academy

Date: 175.M42

With a sudden shock, he woke up. Cold sweat was running down his spine as he felt the shocking images of his dream fade away. He got up, went into the bathroom to get some refreshment. Today was his last day on Cypra Mundi. He finished his naval officers training as second best in his class. He felt so relieved it was over.

When he saw himself in the mirror, he saw the lines of his ancestors. He was Maximilian Macharius. Most of his ancestors were famous especially one of them. The one who freed a thousand worlds for the Imperium in a few years. The one who set a mark for his heirs. The one with whom everyone would measure him to.

Lord Solar Macharius.

Today was the day he would be assigned to command a ship. He didn't know which one. If he had been the best in his class he would have been assigned to a cruiser but even though he was second he didn't know what awaited him.

"Well, I will see" he told himself.

It was 30 minutes to waking time so he decided to shower, breakfast and get dressed to make a good impression to his superiors.

2 hours later, Cypra Mundi naval academy, assignments office

"Welcome, Mr. Macharius."

He knew this voice. Admiral Schmidt, out of active duty after 40 years of service to the emperor in Battlefleet Obscurus. He knew that Schmidt fought in the 13th Black Crusade, being reassigned from retirement to lead a battleship into service after its crew had died to a plaque. After the war, which wasn't really over yet and surely won't be over for decades or even centuries he retired again and went back to teach at the academy.

"Congratulations. You were second best in your class. You make your family proud of you and show that you really are a Macharius."

'Yeah right', he thought.

As a Macharius nothing but being the very best was expected from him and he failed to do so.

"Thank you, Admiral" was the only thing he could say.

"I know that you feel bad because you weren't the best as it was expected from you" the Admiral said as if being able to read his mind. "but you don't have to be ashamed of it. You followed my career I guess?"

Maxim nodded. How couldn't he not have followed the admiral's career? His strategies and tactical records were required readings at the academy. His successes even against enemies with superior numbers were legendary.

"Yes Sir."

"Good. But do you know what my ranking was at the end of my naval education?"

"No."

"Then guess."

Maxim thought. He must have been at least in the top ten. Noone lower becomes captain of a battleship quickly, sometimes never.

"I guess you were . . . 3rd?"

Schmidt shook his head and smiled.

"Guess again."

"You were at least in the top ten."

Schmidt shook his head again.

"Last try."

"Okay, but you were at least in the top twen . . . thirty".

Schmidt laughed and fixed Maxim directly.

"You see, if they teach you stuff from heroes and legends they mostly miss some information. We were 102 in our class and I graduated as 55th."

Maxim could just stand there, shocked.

55th? And he became captain of an emperor class battleship after only 15 years. Then maybe I'll become the captain of a great and mighty battleship too.

Then he remembered his dream. Was it an omen of his future. Being the captain of a retribution class battleship and the commander of a whole battlefleet fighting Chaos. But then again, he died fighting Chaos. Suddenly his future as a battleship captain wasn't so great after all. Schmidt saw his thoughtful face.

"You see you don't have to be the best to become a great captain. That reminds me of our business here. To make a long story short, from this day on you are promoted to the rank Lieutenant Commander and assigned to the Cobra destroyer Sharpened Teeth of the Snappish Dog squadron as its Captain."

Now Maxim was really shocked. A Cobra destroyer? A ship class known for being quickly destroyed in big battles? That'd mean assignments to patrols and pirate hunting.

"Admiral, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"What was your first assignment after you graduated?"

Schmidt smiled again.

"I became second officer of a Firestorm frigate. But back to business. Tomorrow, a task force arrives here for repairs and refitting. Your new ship is a part of it. The former Captain was severely injured and is unable to command his ship anymore. You will introduce yourself to him and the crew. For your first mission, he will accompany you to give you advise if needed. Dismissed"

The next day

On the screens Maxim saw the task force arriving. According to the records it contained of a Mars battlecruiser, the Arbiter, the flagship, accompanied by 3 Lunar class cruisers, the Innocent, Tyrant and Fearsome, a squadron of 3 Firestorm Frigates, the Overheaters and 3 squadrons of 4 Cobra destroyers each, named Tarantula, Potent and Snappish Dog.

The screen showed a Mars battlecruiser, 2 Lunars, 3 Firestorms and 9 Cobras.

Going by the logs, the task force was on patrol to fight orc raiders and seeing the damage of the ships and the casualties they suffered it must have been a tough fight. As soon as the ships docked he went to the Sharpened teeth, looking for the captain. When he couldn't find him, he went to the weapons officer instead.

"Where is the captain?"

"He just was transferred to the medical lab of the station. He was injured during the last battle. You are his replacement, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. How went the fight?"

"Pretty good actually. We were heavily outnumbered though. We destroyed many of their ships and had few casualties. Mostly due to the orc ships rarely creating good tactics to fight a fleet that sticks together. If you want to know more details, check the logs. You can use the computer over there."

Maxim went to the machine the crewman pointed at. He accessed the files he looked for and checked the data.

The task force lost a Lunar, the Firestorm, 3 Cobras, nearly all lightnings, half of the bombers, the other 2 Lunars have lost weapon turrets and the Mars suffered armor damage. But it wasn't much compared to the losses the orcs had. Their whole fleet consisted of a Kill Kroozer, 4 Terror Ships, 3 Onslaught Attack Ships, 6 Savage Gunships, 16 Ravager Attack Ships and 4 Brute Ram Ships. Their losses were 2 Terrors, one Onslaught, 3 Savages, 9 Ravagers and all Ram Ships.

Maxim was impressed. That was a battle hardened taskforce with a good body count on enemy ships. He would have to work hard to keep up with them and getting on their level to prove himself to them.

"What kind of person is the captain?"

The technicus thought about that.

"He is a good man. He demands a lot of the crew, you know, discipline and so on but he also treats you well if you don't do everything wrong. You will understand when the crew has some doubts concerning your abilities."

Hm, that could be interesting' "I will head off and study the data slates about the fleet and their crews."

With these words he turned on his heels and went off.

2 weeks later

It were 2 busy weeks. The ships have quickly been repaired, the replacement for the lost ships have arrived with an additional squadron of Cobras, the Larsons pride, two new squadrons of 3 Firestorms each, the Orckillers and Orchunters, famous for their successes against the greenskins. The biggest surprise for Maxim was the arrival of 2 Lunar class cruisers instead of one, the Convention and the Silvermoon, adding more firepower to the task force.

Sector command must really be annoyed with the orcs, assigning such a force to a hunt.

Rumors said, there were even more ships on the way to be added to the fleet. Something big must be coming. From the speakers came the voice of Commander Romm, the stations commander.

"All crew members of task force Orcish Nemesis to their ships. The fleet is embarking in 30 minutes. I repeat, all crew members of task force Orcish Nemesis to their ships."

Maxim made his way to the lift, went to the docking bay and on his ship.

10 minutes later

Maxim entered the bridge of the Sharpened Teeth and went to the captain's chair, finding it occupied by an old man with a lot of bandages around many parts on his body.

"Captain Ramone? I'm Lieutenant Commander Maximilian Macharius, I'm here to replace you in command of this ship."

A rasping voice answered him.

"Welcome aboard Lieutenant Commander. I assume you made yourself familiar with the ship and the crew."

"Yes Sir."

The captain pressed two buttons on his chairs arm rest and two servitors helped him up.

"As you can see, the duty for the emperor can be a pain, but as long as I kill his enemies I do it. Now take your seat and assume control of your ship. Oh, and please call me Zorak."

"Okay … Zorak. Only if you call me Maxim."

Before Ramone could reply to that the communications officer spoke up.

"Captain, we're getting a signal from Admiral Sirius, the fleet moves out."

Maxim took a deep breath and gave his first order of his new command.

"You heard the man, on your stations. Gentleman, we're moving out."

And they moved, 27 ships at all. A voice appeared on the speakers.

"Admiral Sirius to all ships . We have some unfinished business with the orcs. We're going back to the Accamar System to kill some greenskins. Reconnaissance states that the fleet we encountered is still in the system. We'll beat them there and search for their base. Be on your guard. We're heading to war again. Sirius out."

And so, 27 ships headed into the warp, ready for action. And on one of them was Lieutenant Commander Maximilian Macharius, watching the line of ships and thinking

'Soon'.

End of Chapter 1.