Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2: The Nihlus War - Part Five:
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 artificer-made crimson power armor, fitted with golden inserts. The Winged blood drop, the symbol of the Blood Angels, 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 Space Marine 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 a combination of both 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 wore similar artificer-made crimson power armor to Julius's. 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.
"What is my role in this operation, son of Guilliman?" Sergeant Rafen spoke as he walked inside, "How will we do this?"
As for Rafen, one could mistake him for a standard Blood Angels Sergeant, but he was more than that, as he was involved in an intra-chapter Civil War that threatened to tear the Blood Angels apart. His Crimson power armor, once pristine, was scarred due to the many battles that he had fought in the name of both Sanguinius, his Primarch, and the Primarch's father, the Emperor of Mankind himself.
"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 begin planning the mission."
In contrast to the four other Space Marines, Ash wore the blue, gold, and white power armor of the Ultramarines Chapter. His armor was, like the other captains, artificer-made 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. The neck torc that surrounded his neck was engraved with the Gothic Numeral for thirteen: XIII, symbolizing the Ultramarines' status as the Thirteenth Space Marine Legion. 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. Sergeant Rafen, I trust that you will be the one to lead the assault, right?"
Rafen nodded.
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, our Successor chapters, 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 in the Space Marines and they were one 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, Moritat squads, and our breacher Squads. Captain Alicia, if you don't mind."
Alicia, representing the Blood Angels' elite forces, nodded to Octavian, before she introduced the specialized units to Ash, who expressed confusion at their origins.
"These warriors were chosen by Commander Dante himself, Commander Ketchum," Alicia Alucard spoke as the door of the Aquila's Honor's strategium opened again, "They were once mortal aspirants; now they're Space Marines."
Ash was taken aback by the revelation, questioning Alicia for more details about the identities of these specially selected individuals.
"Commander Dante handpicked them?" Ash Ketchum was confused, "Who are they?"
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 clad in the iconic crimson Power Armor of the Blood Angels, stepping into the room. "By the emperor..." Ash could only stare in shock as the former students walked into the Strategium, before whispering to himself, "Why did Commander Dante choose you of all people to become Space Marines? Ain't you guys too young to be members of the Ninth Legion?"
The Blood Angels that entered the Strategium were Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren, Sun Wukong, Coco Adel, Velvet Scarlatina, Fox Alastair, Yatsuhashi Daichi, Cardin Winchester, Russell Thursh, Sky Lark, Scarlet David, Sage Ayana, Neptune Vasillas, Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustai, Mercury Black, Vernal Branwen, Flynt Coal, Oscar Pine, 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 and wearing the revered crimson power armor and winged blood drop, with their dust-powered weapons now resized to fit the hands of a Space Marine.
Back outside, Ash was still in shock. "What...? Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Nora, Pyrrha... What's going on?"
Julius stepped forward, acknowledging Ash's surprise at the presence of these once-familiar faces now adorned in Blood Angels' garb. Ash was taken aback, recalling the last time he encountered these individuals. It was when he was taking them on a tour of the Fortress of Hera, the Ultramarines' Fortress-Monastery, on Macragge, the Ultramarines' Homeworld, all the way back when he was part of the Ultramarines' 9th Company as a Devastator Marine.
"Dante selected them after visiting their homeworld, Remnant, during the Vytal Festival." Julius spoke to Him, " He was intrigued by their combat prowess."
"If you don't mind..." Julius Octavian then turned to the newly arrived Space Marines, "Please, introduce yourselves."
Curiosity piqued, Ash listened intently as the students, now transformed into Space Marines, introduced themselves one by one.
"I'm Ruby Rose, formerly of Team RWBY."
"Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company."
"Blake Belladonna, faunus rights activist."
"Yang Xiao Long, seeking adventure wherever it leads."
"Nora Valkyrie, the thunderous warrior."
"Pyrrha Nikos, striving for honor and glory."
"Lie Ren, seeking peace amidst chaos."
"Sun Wukong, the free-spirited fighter."
"Coco Adel, fashionista and huntress."
"Velvet Scarlatina, capturing every moment."
"Fox Alastair, silent but deadly."
"Yatsuhashi Daichi, unwavering strength."
"Cardin Winchester, determined and loyal."
"Russell Thrush, always ready for action."
"Sky Lark, seeking the skies."
"Scarlet David, master of the waves."
"Sage Ayana, the calm warrior."
"Neptune Vasillas, the electrifying fighter."
"Cinder Fall, a different kind of fire."
"Emerald Sustrai, shadows in the dark."
"Mercury Black, swift and deadly."
"Vernal Branwen, nature's fury."
"Flynt Coal, striking the chords of battle."
"Oscar Pine, bearer of Ozma's mantle."
"Neopolitan, a master of illusions."
"Dove Bronzewing, soaring high."
"Neon Katt, leaving a trail of color."
"May Zedong, precision in every shot."
"Sienna Khan, fighting for justice."
"Reese Chloris, wheels always turning."
"Penny Polendina, synthetic warrior."
As introductions continued, Ash scanned the group but noticed the absence of Jaune Arc, the leader of Team JNPR. When questioned, the students and their fellow teammates revealed Jaune's affiliation with the Dark Angels, whom he joined after the fall of Beacon in an attack and chaos incursion that was orchestrated by the forces of the Thousand Sons, the Fifteenth Legion, which fell into the clutches of Tzeentch, the chaos god of Sorcery during the tumultuous period of the Horus Heresy.
"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 Space Marines of the Celestial Lions and the Blood Angels fly back to the respective ships of their chapters, it was time for the rest of the Ultramarines to group up. The cosmos hummed with anticipation as two of the Indomitable Legion's ships emerged from the warp, their presence announced with the resounding fervor of vox transmissions.
"This is the Battle Barge Invicta," Vipsanius Gaius, the Chapter Master of the Indomitable Legion reported to Ash, "Reporting our arrival."
"Strike Cruiser Miatus reporting readiness." Captain Terentius's voice came over the Voxcaster, "This is Captain Terentius, here to assist."
Ash recognized both leaders well, with the Indomitable Legion being known for their sheer brutality, ferocity, and pure sadism among the ranks of the Ultramarines' successors. Their arrival also marked the beginning of the Ultramarine reinforcements.
Following Captain Terentius and Chapter Master Gaius 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.
Joining after them was the Strike Cruiser Hariwok, the Tome Keepers' vessel under Captain Nasiem bal Tergu, captain of the Tome Keepers 3rd Company, and the lone ship of the newly formed Executioners of Ultramar Chapter, the Strike Cruiser Sharpened Axe, signifying a buildup of Ultramarine strength.
As the warships aligned into formation, Misty, Iris, and Gary, all of whom were integral members of the Suzerain Invictarus, charted their course toward the Aquila's Honor aboard Ultramarine Thunderhawks. Their entrance into the Strategium signaled a gathering of minds, seeking guidance on their impending role in the impending battle.
"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 the 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!