-IV-
Golema Doxia moved unchallenged through the void above Idagenia. The massive Overlord class BattleCruiser dominated the enemy forces with its size and armaments. It wasn't the biggest ship the Imperium could muster and The Emperor's Spears lacked in terms of void combat to its more well requisitioned brethren, but Golema served the chapter for over two millenia and fought countless campaigns under different captains. The ship itself was older than that and only the Chapter Master of the Emperor's Spear knew about the origins of the ship. It was requisitioned to the Spears at their founding and served honourably ever since.
Escort squadrons followed the great warship as they advanced on a group of Ork vessels.
"Shieldbore lead awaiting orders, my lord." came in through ship to ship vox.
"Fall in Shieldbore, keep the pace." replied Quintus Hekteran, captain of the Golema Doxia.
"Enemy units at seven-o-niner, my lord. What are your orders?" asked Quintus to the figure standing a the view-port.
The figure was wearing a jet black power armor with light-blue shoulder pads. His skull mask was judging the enemy forces with its hollow eye sockets.
"Move in captain, protocol lambda-nine, annihilate them." ordered Chaplain Galieo.
Captain Quintus nodded and started issuing order to his crew.
"Load all forward batteries, put her into attack speed. Shieldbore, Goldknife, Voidclaw keep pace and advance."
Imperial force moved silently in the void towards the advancing Ork forces, engines blazing to gain speed. Ork group consisted of five Onslaught attack ships and three Savage gunships.
"Voidclaw fire up the engines, draw fire from the Onslaughts, leave the killing to us." ordered Quintus.
"Yes, my lord" came the reply.
"Shieldbore keep behind the Golema and fire at the Savage gunships on my mark."
"Affirmative." came back the reply.
"Wouldn't it be better if we fired for effect, my lord?" suggested a helmsman.
"No, Savage gunships are better armed for close range, I won't risk our ships against any Ork menace. After we dealt with the Savages at long range we will concentrate on the Onslaughts." explained Quintus.
"Goldknife keep pace and fire on any stranglers." Quintus kept issuing orders to the squadrons.
"Yes, lord Quintus" confirmed the Goldknife lead.
"Idagenia's Salvation, through the void we fight, pierce their soul" Quintus quoted.
"For the Emperor" came back replies.
The battlefleet Idagenia's Salvation moved head on. Ork units opened fire long before they came in range with their prow gunz. Their anticipation however was meaningless for the range was too great.
"Shieldbore, open fire" ordered Quintus and blazing torpedoes launched towards the Savage gunships.
Two of the gunships were hit by the torpedoes, unable to dodge at high speed. They exploded violently as the rest of the fleet moved in gunz blazing. The gunz was in range now but the heavy gunz of the Ork fleet was still out of range. Ork fleet fired their prow gunz in fury but the Imperial shields held on against the firepower.
Goldknife fired their lances and took out an Onslaught and the last remaining Savage before its heavy gunz have a chance to fire. Voidclaw and Onslaughts passed each other firing broadsides and prow guns. One of the Ork Onslaught near missed the Gramatica corvette of the Voidclaw. Orks were aiming to hit the Imperials prow first, but the Imperials both had the speed and the numbers. Voidclaw squadron took out two Onslaughts and passed them as their engines give out and explode. Remaining two Onslaughts charged at Golema head on, hoping to ram the giant vessel but the prow guns and turrets of Golema crippled the two charging vessels then crashed into one and threw it out of its path violently. The destroyed Ork vessel spun out of control and vomited Orks and debris into the void as it fell towards the Idagenia. The last remaining Onslaught was dragging itself and the broadsides of the Golema made short work of it.
"Sector clear" declared the long range auspex officer.
"All ships report in." ordered Quintus.
There were no casualties but the Gramatica sustained minor damage during the encounter.
"The enemy is no more, my lord" reported Quintus to the Chaplain.
Although the Chaplain can see for himself that the victory is won, he acknowledged the discipline of the captain.
The heavens of Idagenia was clear for now but another battle was being fought on the surface of the Imperial world below.