Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2: The Nihlus War - Part Six:
Warchief Muteba Asala of the Celestial Lions and Captains Julius Octavian and Alicia Alucard of the Blood Angels then entered the Strategium of the Aquila's Honor, eager to learn about their roles in the upcoming attack on the Deimios Binary System. Ash Ketchum activated the Holo-Table, displaying a detailed view of the system, complete with the location of the shipyard within an asteroid field and the Forge World, where the Skitarii Legions were struggling against the traitor forces.
"Why have we been called here?" Julius Octavian spoke as he walked in, "What is this all about?"
The Blood Angels captain was adorned in his artificer-made crimson power armor, fitted with golden inserts. The Winged blood drop, the symbol of the Blood Angels Legion, was molded onto both his chest plate and on his left pauldron in ruby, gold, adamantium, and plasteel. The neck torc that surrounded his neck was engraved with the Gothic Numeral for nine: IX, symbolizing the Blood Angels' status as the Ninth Legion. His Helmet, which he cradled in his left arm, was also artificer-crafted, and it had the same symbol welded onto its forehead area in ruby and adamantium, with emerald green lenses in both eyes. Octavian's face was chiseled and perfect, just like his Legion's primarch, Sanguinius, with dirty blonde hair covering the top of his head and blue eyes.
"I agree with Captain Julius, Commander Ketchum," Alicia Alucard spoke as she walked in beside Julius, "Why are we here?"
Just like with Julius, the other Blood Angels Captain, Alicia Alucard wore similar artificer-made crimson power armor, fitted with golden inserts. Alucard's power armor, however, was resized to fit her more petite frame. Alicia's face was as beautiful as an ancient Terran goddess's and as white as snow, and her lips were red as the Blood of Sanguinius that flowed in her veins. Her black hair flowed like a waterfall down to her shoulders, and her piercing red eyes showed both her experience and her youthful nature.
"Is it about the details of the attack that you relayed to us, Ketchum?" Muteba spoke in a deep, resonating voice as he walked in, "What will our roles be in this battle?"
The Celestial Lions Warchief wore golden artificer power armor with azure inserts. His chapter's symbol, the white head of a roaring lion, adorned his left pauldron, with a variation of the lion's head molded onto his chest plate, surrounded by silver wings. His power pack was adorned with the pelt of a golden lion that came from his Chapter's Homeworld, Elysium IX, with the head of the slayed beast decorating his right shoulder. His helmet, which now rested on the table, was themed after both the helmets of the planet's tribal war chiefs, who wore the pelts of various wild animals that they had killed as head armor and the golden lions that the chapter was named after. His face, scarred from many battles against the forces of chaos, was dark-skinned with black hair and a black beard, with grey hairs sprinkled around it.
"Lady and Gentlemen," Ash spoke with confidence, "It is now time to truly begin planning the mission."
In contrast to the three Space Marine Captains, Ash wore the blue, gold, and white power armor of the Ultramarines legion. His armor was, like the others, artificer power armor, but this time, it was adorned in the recognizable livery of the Ultramarines legion, like the Ultima that was painted on his left shoulder pad in white and the winged variant in gold that was molded onto his chest. His blue helmet, which rested on the Holo-table was inspired by the old Romanii helmets from millennia past, with a red and white plume jutting out from the top of it and its gold-colored facemask. His tanned skin, brown eyes, and raven-colored hair completed his look, along with his Pokéballs and his faithful Pikachu, which rested on his shoulder.
"Our strategy will be a coordinated assault," Ash Ketchum explained as the Holo-Table simulated the attack, "The Blood Angels, due to their expertise in deep striking, will lead the assault on the shipyard, while the Celestial Lions will land on the Forge World's surface to assist the Skitarii Legions and the Deimios Binary Mechanicum."
Ash then shifted his attention to the Ultramarines, who would engage the traitor fleet above the Forge World.
"As for us," Ash spoke as a hologram of the Aquila's honor appeared on the holo-table, "the Ultramarines and I will be engaging the traitor fleet above the Forge World itself."
Muteba Asala interjected, bringing up the important contribution of the Black Templars, a brother chapter of the Celestial Lions, who were sending a Crusade Fleet to bolster the war effort.
"It's worth noting that the Black Templars are sending a Crusade Fleet to aid us in the battle," Muteba Asala informed Ash, "We've managed to inform them about the situation before we came here."
"Oh really?" Ash spoke. Ash knew about the Black Templars from information given to him by members from other chapters within the legions. The fleet-based crusaders in black and white were known for their affinity for close-quarters combat and their zeal, which won them many honors throughout the Imperium. They were the largest of the chapters that were descended from the stalwart Imperial Fists Legion, and their true numbers were only known to one man, Helbrecht: the High Marshal of the chapter.
"Marshal Gernhardt will be leading them, Commander," Muteba spoke.
Ash nodded, taking note of this additional support. Gernhardt was a rising star within the Black Templars chapter, and to have a leader who had accumulated many battle honors in such a short amount of time on the Imperial's side was impressive.
"That's good to know, Warchief Asala," Ash Ketchum spoke in an appreciative voice, "We can use all the help we can get because I foresee that we are going to face off against a powerful enemy."
Ash then turned to Julius Octavian. "Captain Octavian, what are you going to bring to the table for this mission?"
"Commander Ketchum," Julius Octavian spoke, "Allow me to introduce the Blood Angels who will lead our assault teams and our breacher teams."
He then introduced Ash to the Blood Angels who would lead the Assault and Boarding teams that were aboard the Angel's Ascendancy. However, Ash was in for a surprise as he saw familiar faces among the crimson-clad Space Marines—the faces of former students of Beacon Academy, now transformed into Blood Angels.
"By the emperor..." Ash could only gawk, as he knew all of them from when they visited Macragge for a tour of the Fortress of Hera, the Ultramarines' Fortress-Monastery, on a field trip, and when he was just a standard devastator marine.
The Blood Angels that entered the Strategium were Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrha Nikos, Ren, Sun Wukong, Coco Adel, Velvet Scarlatina, Fox Alastair, Yatsuhashi Daichi, Cardin Winchester, Russell Thrush, Sky Lark, Scarlet David, Sage Ayana, Neptune Vasilias, Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, Neopolitan, Dove Bronzewing, Neon Katt, May Zedong, Sienna Khan, Reese Chloris, and Penny Polendina— all of them former students of Beacon Academy, now transformed into members of the Ninth Legion, with their dust-powered weapons now resized to fit the hands of a Space Marine.
"If you don't mind..." Julius Octavian then turned to the newly arrived Space Marines, "Please, introduce yourselves."
As each of the former students introduced themselves, Ash greeted them with a mix of nostalgia and pride.
"Hey Ash," Ruby Rose smiled as her silver eyes twinkled, "It's been a while!"
Ash was taken aback by their presence, his expression reflecting surprise and warmth.
"Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and all the others... I never expected to see all of you like this," Ash Ketchum spoke in a surprised voice, "Why are you all part of the Blood Angels?"
Weiss was the next to explain.
"Ozpin, our Headmaster, decided that it would be better if we decided to become Space Marines," she spoke in her signature regal tone, "He thinks that if we became Blood Angels, we would be able to promote the school throughout the Imperium."
"I see..." Ash acknowledged.
However, one name was conspicuously absent—Jaune Arc, the leader of team JNPR.
"Where's Jaune Arc?" Ash Ketchum curiously questioned, "Which Legion is he a part of?"
His friends from JNPR and Team RWBY exchanged glances before Nora explained.
"Jaune is a member of the Dark Angels, Commander Ketchum," Nora Valkyrie explained in a calm voice, far from her usual energetic personality, "His status as a member of the first Legion sets us apart from him."
With the introductions complete and the battle plans laid out, Ash dismissed the assembled commanders and warriors, urging them to get into position. As he watched the Thunderhawks carrying the warriors back to their respective ships, it was time for the rest of the Ultramarines to group up.
As the Aquila's Honor continued its preparations for the impending battle, the first of the Ultramarines warships to arrive was a Strike Cruiser, the Miatus, emerging from the warp alongside Ash's warship. Captain Terentius of the Ultramarines 110th Scout Company commanded the Miatus and hailed the Aquila's Honor.
"This is Captain Terentius of the Ultramarines," Captain Terentius spoke over the Voxcaster, "We have received your transmission, Commander."
Ash Ketchum, recognizing Terentius's voice, wasted no time in issuing orders.
"Acknowledged, Captain Terentius," Ash Ketchum ash responded before commanding him, saying "Form a picket line around the Aquila's Honor immediately. I don't want my ship to be overwhelmed by enemies."
Following Captain Terentius were three additional Ultramarines vessels, led by Ash's equerry in the Suzerain Invictarius, that being Misty, who commanded the Ultramarines Vanguard-Class Light Cruiser Thiel's Insight. Alongside her was the strike cruiser Aegis of Gage, the personal flagship of Ash's longtime rival and now champion of the honor guard, Gary Oak, and the last to arrive was the Kontos-Class Battle Barge Legionarius, commanded by Iris, one of Ash's traveling companions during his adventures in the Unova Region, now holding the position of 2nd Captain of the Honor Guard.
With the ships in position, Misty, Iris, and Gary arrived on board the Aquila's Honor via Thunderhawks. As they entered the Strategium, their curiosity about their roles in the upcoming battle was palpable. Ash began to brief them on the attack plan, detailing which targets each force would engage.
"Misty, Iris, Gary, here's the plan," Ash Ketchum then informs his fellow Suzerain Invictarius members of the strategy, saying, "The Blood Angels will lead an assault on the shipyard, while the Celestial Lions will assist the Skitarii Legions and Mechanicum on the Forge World's surface. As for us Ultramarines, we will engage the traitor fleet above the Forge World."
Ash also informed them of the imminent arrival of the Black Templars Crusade Fleet, led by Marshal Gernhardt, who would be coming to support their attack, alongside the Celestial Lions and the Blood Angels.
"Adding onto that," Ash spoke, "Marshal Gernhardt of the Black Templars will assist us in the battle. His Crusade fleet will provide much-needed firepower and marines to help us secure the system."
The trio absorbed the information, their determination evident.
"We're ready for action, Ash," Misty spoke with a resolute voice. Her Togepi, which she carried in her arms, chirped in eagerness.
"Let's do this!" Iris spoke in an eager voice. Her Axew, which was perched on her shoulder, roared with eagerness.
"I'm looking forward to it, Ashy boy," Gary Oak spoke with the same competitive attitude that had become familiar with Ash, "Let's go!"
With their roles clarified and their forces aligned, the commanders of the Ultramarines, Blood Angels, and Celestial Lions were ready for battle.
And that right there wraps up chapter five! Watch out for next time, in which the attack plan is put into motion! Leave a review and a follow if you want to see more of this story. Thank you!