Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2: The Nihlus War - Part Five:
As the five loyalist warships, including the Righteous Protector, exited the warp over the planet of Belisar, a Hive World that had been isolated due to the Great Rift cutting off contact with the Astronomicon, Magos Crawn, the Head Tech-priest of the Righteous Protector, reported a Vox communication incoming from Lord High Admiral Drang.
"Receiving communication from the Vox relay," Magos Crawn intoned mechanically, "It is Lord High Admiral Drang, my lord."
The news brought a mixture of shock and relief to the crew, especially to Commodore Kage, who had feared the worst for their commander.
"So the old man's still alive?" Kage was intrigued, "I told you he was too tough to kill."
Lord High Admiral Drang's holographic image flickered into existence on the bridge, his presence commanding respect.
"Lord Admiral Spire," Lord High Admiral Drang spoke with an authoritative voice, "I trust that you stand ready for orders?"
Lord Admiral Spire nodded with determination.
"I am ready, Lord High Admiral," Spire responded with readiness in his voice.
Drang wasted no time, issuing Spire a crucial task to him.
"Good," Lord High Admiral Drang responded firmly, "Strategically and symbolically, the Cadian Sector is vital to our efforts. Lord Admiral Spire, your mission is to retake and reclaim the sector itself, Admiral. The Imperium's survival depends on it. The Emperor Protects."
Spire acknowledged the gravity of his orders.
"Understood, Lord High Admiral," Lord Admiral Spire responded resolutely, "We will reclaim the sector. The Emperor Protects."
Drang's attention then shifted to the other four Imperial warships that had joined Spire's fleet. He requested their commanders' identification.
"Identify yourselves, Commanders of the accompanying vessels," Lord High Admiral Drang inquired, "Who are you?"
In turn, Fabricator-Locum Cambrius of the Imperious Draconis, Enginseer Megane of the Canticle of Fire, Captain Gideon Reinhardt of the Vae Victus, and Ash Ketchum of the Aquila's Honor provided their names and titles.
"I am Fabricator-Locum Cambrius of the Imperious Draconis," Cambrius spoke, "Forge World of Mars."
"Enginseer Megane of the Canticle of Fire," Megane introduced herself, "Forge World of Svarog."
"I am Captain Gideon Reinhardt of the Vae Victus," Captain Reinhardt spoke, "Battlefleet Solar."
"Ash Ketchum, Commander of the Ultramarines Suzerain Invictarius and the Aquila's Honor," Ash introduced himself last, "Proud son of Ultramar and scion of Roboute Guilliman."
With the introductions complete, Lord High Admiral Drang signed off, leaving Spire and his fellow commanders to prepare for the challenges ahead.
"May the Emperor watch over us all." Lord High Admiral Drang signed off, "Stay safe, commanders. The Emperor protects."
After the Vox Relay transmission from Lord High Admiral Drang, Ash Ketchum then sent a Vox Transmission to Admiral Spire.
"Lord Admiral Spire, meet me in the Strategium of the Aquila's Honor," Ash Ketchum spoke in the transmission, "That's where we'll plan the first moves of the Nihlus War."
As an Ultramarines Thunderhawk descended into the hangar bay of the Aquila's Honor to transport Spire, the Vox Crew of the Righteous Protector received yet another transmission, this time from an Avenger-Class Grand Cruiser of the Blood Angels Legion known as the Angel's Ascendancy, commanded by Captain Julius Octavian of the Blood Angels 115th Assault Company.
"This is Captain Julius Octavian of the Blood Angels, reporting from the Angel's Ascendancy," Captain Octavian signaled from the bridge of the Grand Cruiser, "The sons and daughters of Sanguinius stand ready for battle."
Another Blood Angels ship, the Strike Cruiser known as the Sanguine Blade, followed behind, commanded by another Blood Angels Captain, that being Captain Alicia Alucard of the Blood Angels 101st Veteran Company.
But the Blood Angels were not alone in coming, for another Astartes warship, the gold and azure battle barge Saharanor, emerged from the warp. It was commanded by Warchief Muteba Asala of the Celestial Lions, one of the many chapters that formed part of the Imperial Fists Legion.
"Lord Admiral Spire," Muteba spoke in a determined voice, "We have arrived. Our brother chapter in the Black Templars has decided to send a Crusade Fleet to aid in the war effort. We stand ready to purge the heretics."
With reinforcements from the Blood Angels, the Celestial Lions, and the Black Templars, it was a sign that Lord Admiral Spire and his allies were starting to assemble a formidable force.
Back in the Strategium of the Aquila's Honor, Lord Admiral Spire and Ash Ketchum were in the middle of holding a crucial discussion about their first target in the Nihlus War—the Deimios Binary System, home to both a Forge World and a small shipyard, both of which were crucial to the Imperial War Effort in the Nihlus War.
"The Deimios Binary System is our first objective in this war," Lord Admiral Spire spoke as he went over the map of the system, "We must seize it to secure vital resources and shipyards. If those are in our possession, our ships may be able to make substantial repairs."
"Agreed, Lord Admiral," Ash nodded in agreement, understanding the strategic importance of their choice. "We'll make the initial strike of the war there."
However, Spire's voice took on a somber tone as he revealed his Warship's condition.
"My ship, the Righteous Protector, is too damaged to participate in the upcoming battle. Lord Admiral Spire spoke in a concerned voice, "I'll remain in the Belisar System for repairs."
With the arrival of the Blood Angels and the Celestial Lions, it became clear that they would spearhead the first strike and the first battle of the Nihlus War, alongside the Ultramarines.
As Spire departed aboard a Thunderhawk back to the Righteous Protector, Ash turned his attention to his duties as commander of the Aquila's Honor. He ordered the Astropath choir of the Aquila's Honor to send out another hymnal, a call for reinforcements and instructed the chief Vox Officer to transmit a coded Vox Transmission—a signal for the rest of the Suzerain Invictarus to gather with their commander.
"It's time for the Suzerain Invictarius to form up with me," Ash Ketchum spoke before he sent the coded transmission, saying, "Sons of Guilliman, march for Maccrage."
Another Vox Officer on the ship was tasked with sending a transmission to any Ultramarines ships in the vicinity, rallying them to join forces with the Ultramarines fleet. Ash also directed the Angel's Ascendancy and the Saharanor to be informed about the attack plan he had been formulating.
As the Vox Officer began to send out the transmissions, Ash took a moment to look at a Data-slate that displayed the schedule of various Idol Groups that were touring the area when the Great Rift had occurred, cutting them off from the rest of the galaxy. He saw them as a potential way to boost morale among the crews of the warships.
"Send a Vox Transmission to them," Ash ordered another one of the Aquila's Honor's Vox Officers, "Tell them that all their touring schedules have been rerouted through to the Belisar System. Information on where to perform will be provided for them once they've arrived."
Before he could delve further into his plans to contribute to the war effort, Erika, a Suzerain Invictarius Space Marine Lieutenant and the former Pokémon Gym Leader of Celadon City, then interrupted him.
"Commander Ketchum," Lieutenant Erika spoke in a respectful voice, "we're receiving signals from the other Ultramarines ships. The sons and daughters of Maccrage are now responding to your rallying fanfare."
"Understood," Ash responded, "I will get them into formation once we've gotten the attack plan set up."
Ash, determined to maintain a focused approach, instructed her to put the signals through on a private Ultramarines-only channel. He wanted to hear the voices of his fellow battle brothers and sisters in the Ultramarines as he made his way to the Aquila's Honor's Strategium to brief the commanders of the two chapters on the upcoming battle and the role each ship would play in reclaiming the Deimios Binary System. The war in the Nihlus sector had begun, and unity among the Imperial forces was essential and paramount if the Imperium had any chance for victory.
And that right there, is chapter four COMPLETE! Watch out for next time, in which the attack is planned even further! Leave a review and a follow if you want to see more of this story. Thank you!