Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2: The Nihlus War - Part Six

Back onboard the Saharanor, Muteba Asala received a Vox Transmission from the Sword of Dorn, the flagship of Marshal Gernhardt's Crusade Fleet. The message that was sent from the Black and White Retribution-Class Battleship indicated that the Black Templars Crusade fleet had finally arrived in the Cadian Sector. As the newly arrived Imperial ships stopped moving, Muteba instructed the Vox Officer of the Sword of Dorn to establish communication with Marshal Gernhardt.

"Vox Officer, get Marshal Gernhardt on the line," Muteba Asala ordered the Vox officer, "I need to speak with him immediately."

Gernhardt's response then came swiftly as his face was projected onto the Hololith. Unlike most of the Black Templars' marshals, Gernhardt's face was youthful, with a short, black, beard. An Iron Circlet similar to a crown sat on his head, and a cross-shaped nose guard protected his nose. His black chest plate was covered by a white tunic, on which the symbol of his chapter, a black Maltese cross, was painted. His black and white helmet hung off his combat belt, inspired by the crusading knights of the 2nd millennium. Around his left wrist was a dense, black, iron manacle, which shackled him to his weapon, a power sword.

The Black Templars' tradition of shackling their weapons to themselves started as a tradition done by the World Eaters before they became traitors, with Sigismund, the Legendary 1st Captain of the Imperial Fists and founder of the Black Templars, getting it from the infamous Khârn the Betrayer during the Great Crusade while the Captain of the World Eaters 8th Assault Company was still loyal.

"This is Marshal Gernhardt of the Black Templars," Gernhardt responded, "What is it, Warchief?"

But there was another Black Templar leader who was famous, even revered among the Adeptus Astartes chapters and the wider Imperium, that being the Hero of Helsreach, Chaplain Merek Grimaldus, the Reclusiarch of the Chapter. Once the youngest of the Chapter's elite Sword Brethren, the Black Templars Chaplain was known for his firey zeal and his oratory skills and even received the title "Hero of Helsreach" from Armageddon's people and the Armageddon Steel Legion.

"I have something that you need to see," Muteba spoke as he pressed a button that was on the Saharanor's Holo-Table. "It's about the attack plan that I and a few other Space Marine commanders have discussed with each other."

Muteba then transmitted the attack plan which was the same one that he had discussed with Commander Ash Ketchum of the Ultramarines and Captains Julius Octavian and Alicia Alucard, and Sergeant Rafen of the Blood Angels, to Gernhardt's cogitator aboard the Sword of Dorn.

"I see the plan that you and your fellow brothers and sisters have created, Warchief," Marshal Gernhardt spoke as he received the transmission from the Warchief, "It's a sound strategy. I'm going to brief my Castellans on this."

Having reviewed the plan, Gernhardt sent separate Vox Transmissions to the three Battle Barges that were under the command of his Crusade fleet, each one being heavily armed and armored—the first was the Oathsworn, commanded by Castellan Steinhauser, the second was the Holy Reckoning, commanded by Castellan Ozpin, and the third and final one was the Avenger of Phall, commanded by Castellan Ishimaru. Each of them was an experienced warrior in his own right, and each of them embodied the Chapter's crusading nature and trademark zeal.

"Castellan Steinhauser," Marshal Gernhardt spoke as he started issuing orders, "you are to assist the Celestial Lions in their planetary invasion. Crush these heretics under your sword."

"Understood Marshal," Steinhauser's voice spoke over the Voxcaster, "The heretics shall be put to the sword."

"Castellan Ozpin, you are to support the Blood Angels' boarding assault on the shipyard," Gernhardt then sent another command, "Let the heretics know that the sons and daughters of Sangunius and the sons and daughters of Dorn fight together."

"Yes, Marshal," Ozpin responded, "It shall be done."

"Castellan Ishimaru," Gernhardt ordered his last Castellan, "You are to aid the Ultramarines in the void battle. Let none escape your sword."

"Acknowledged, Marshal!" Ishimaru's voice spoke over the Voxcaster, "By Dorn, none shall survive!"

As the Crusade Fleet prepared to engage the forces of Chaos, back onboard the Angel's Ascendancy, the former students of Beacon Academy turned Blood Angels listened to the transmission from a Voxcaster that was placed in their barracks as they prepared for battle. They were shocked to see their beloved Headmaster back in action as a space marine, especially as part of a chapter of zealots and crusaders.

"Ozpin? He's going to assist us?" Ruby Rose's eyes widened with shock as she listened to the transmissions that were sent by the Black Templars ships, "That's... unexpected."

"I can't believe our former headmaster is a member of the Black Templars, Ruby," Weiss Schnee was shocked and nearly speechless at what she heard on the Voxcaster, "He kept so many secrets hidden away from us while we were still young."

"That explains a lot, doesn't it, Weiss?" Blake Belladonna spoke next in astonishment as she listened closely, "I never imagined him fighting alongside us."

"He always kept secrets, but this is something else," Yang Xiao Long grinned a little, "I guess he's full of surprises."

"I never saw that coming!" Nora Valkyrie's eyes sparkled with amazement when she heard the transmission, "He's probably got some serious skills with that massive sword of his!"

"It's... surprising, to say the least," Pyrrha Nikos grinned a little as she listened to the transmission, "I'm curious to see his tactics as a Space Marine. He's always been a strategic thinker."

"He always seemed more enigmatic than the rest of the faculty," Ren spoke as he loaded his bolter, "He always did have secrets."

"Whoa, I didn't see that coming!" Sun Wukong was just as astonished when he heard the transmission, "Guess there's more to Headmaster Ozpin than we knew."

"Our old headmaster...a Black Templar." Coco Adel grinned slightly, "Guess we'll be in good hands then. We can always trust him."

"This changes everything we all knew about him." Velvet Scarlatina spoke as she placed her camera onto her combat belt, "It's unbelievable, but yet, it's somehow fitting."

It makes sense in a way if you think about it, Velvet," Fox Alastair spoke to Velvet, "I wonder how good he'll be in a battle like this."

"That's not what I expected, guys," Yatsuhashi Daichi spoke next as he listened to the transmission, "Ozpin's devotion is unwavering. I expected him to be a great leader, but not a zealot with a giant sword chained to him."

"Never thought he'd be a Space Marine," Cardin Winchester spoke next, "It figures that he had some surprises up his sleeves."

"He's always had an air of mystery," Russell Thrush spoke after Cardin, "I guess we'll see a different side of Ozpin now."

"Ozpin, a Black Templar? That's something." Sky Lark spoke next, "This'll be interesting, fighting alongside him."

"Our former headmaster, fighting in the heat of battle." Scarlet David spoke as he listened to the transmission, "Let's show him what we've learned."

"I'm curious to see how he fights," Sage Ayana spoke, "We must remain vigilant if we are to win the day for the Imperium."

"Whoa, I guess he's not just a headmaster," Neptune Vasillas spoke, "I never thought I'd fight alongside him."

"This complicates things a bit, but we'll manage," Cinder Fall spoke after Neptune, "Our headmaster always had something going on with him."

"I wonder if he'll still recognize us." Emerald Sustrai spoke as she sharpened her weapons, "It's been a long time since we saw him before Beacon fell. A lot may have changed about him."

"He always kept a lot hidden from us, everyone," Mercury Black spoke next, "We've faced worse odds before when we still were hunters. Let's show him that we've faced even worse odds as Space Marines."

"Let's make Beacon proud, everyone," Vernal Branwen encouraged his teammates, "Let's show him why Beacon produces the best heroes in the Galaxy!"

"I Never pegged him as a warrior," Flynt Coal spoke next, "Let's find out, guys!"

"This is quite unexpected." Oscar Pine spoke next, "But it doesn't matter, for our enemies won't know what hit them."

"I guess we'll have to wait and see." Neopolitan smirked as she spoke, "Guess we'll see what our headmaster can do as a Space Marine. Furthermore, I'd never thought I'd see the day that Ozpin was dressed as a Black Templar."

"Our old headmaster amid war," Dove Bronzewing spoke next, "This is going to be interesting."

"This is gonna be wild!" Neon Katt grinned and squealed with joy as she readied herself for the coming battle, "Let's show our headmaster what the students of Beacon Academy can do!"

"It seems that there's a new aspect to our old headmaster." May Zedong spoke next, "I wonder how his teachings will mesh with the Blood Angels' methods of waging war. Both of us are melee-focused, so we'll see when we fight."

"He's always been full of surprises, guys," Sienna Khan spoke next as she listened to the Transmission, "so it's time that we show him our surprises."

"I wonder how he'll fare in battle." Reese Chloris spoke as she listened to the transmission, "Becoming a Space Marine must've changed something about him."

"I trust he'll fight valiantly, Reese," Penny Polendina spoke last, "But It's important that we have to focus on the task at hand. Let's stay vigilant and stay on task."

While the Blood Angels talked about their potential reunion with their headmaster, meanwhile with Reclusiarch Grimaldus, he selected the Vow that the Black Templars were going to swear for this crusade, which was Suffer Not the Unclean to Live, as they were going up against the heretic legions.

"Prepare yourselves, brothers and sisters!" Merek Grimaldus yelled loudly to the Black Templar Initiates and Neophytes under his command, "For we bring the Emperor's justice upon our foes! Sharpen your blades, and load your bolters! We shall unleash our holy wrath upon these heretics! Once we step foot on that shipyard, I shall start preaching the word of the Emperor to these heathens!"

"Preaching? Are you certain that's wise, Reclusiarch Grimaldus?" Sergeant Rafen spoke to him confused over his Voxcaster. "The enemy will probably think that you're the leader of the attack."

"I'll stir the righteous fury within our brethren!" Merek yelled back with zeal and hatred, "The enemies shall know our zeal!"

Meanwhile, onboard the Righteous Protector, Lord Admiral Spire watched as the combined fleet of the Ultramarines, Howling Griffons, Novamarines, Genesis Chapter, Scythes of the Emperor, Indomitable Legion, Black Templars, Blood Angels, and Celestial Lions, vanished into the warp to initiate the assault on the Deimios Binary System. The warships had set their course for a fierce confrontation with the forces of Chaos.

As Spire monitored the situation, his Vox Officer provided updates on the reinforcements that were responding to the rallying order, as well as those currently in the warp and those preparing to enter it. Each ship's name, faction, and class were meticulously listed, expanding the coalition that had gathered in response to Spire's call for aid.

"Admiral Spire," the Vox Officer informed the Admiral, "we have more ships en route, including those already in the warp, those that are preparing to enter it, and those that are going to come out of it."

"I can hear that, Vox Officer," Spire spoke as Commodore Kage handed him a Dataslate, "Who is going to arrive?"

"We have a ship coming from the Salamanders, the Anvil of War," The Vox Officer explained as he read through the long list, "It's a Battle Barge of the 1st Realm, commanded by Captain Tul'Dahash. We also have the following ships en route to our location: the Wrath of Fenris, a Space Wolves Grand Cruiser, the Imperium's Wrath, a Lunar-Class Cruiser of Battlefleet Cadia, the Pax Aeternum, an Ark Mechanicus of Forge World Graia, the Dauntless Resolve, a Mars-Class Battle Cruiser of Battlefleet Solar, the Fury of Dorn, a Black Templars Battle Barge, the Sword of Valor, an Adepta Sororitas Battle Cruiser, Deliverance's Grace, a Raven Guard Battle Barge, and the Angel of Iron, a Mechanicus Secutor-Class Light Cruiser of Forge World Graia. We also have..." the Vox Officer's voice still announced to Spire the ships that were joining.

Suddenly, a multitude of warp rifts opened up behind where the Imperial Navy fleet was located. Coming out of the rifts were a slew of Void Ships, each carrying a renowned Idol Group of the Imperium through the void itself, with groups like Arashi, Kis-My-Ft2, BABYMETAL, Blackpink, Nogizaka46, MOMOLAND, Girl's Generation, and Red Velvet appearing on the Auspex systems, just to name a few.

While the repairs on the Righteous Protector were ongoing, with cadres of Tech-priests dispatched from both the Imperious Draconis and the Canticle of Fire working on the ship, Spire ordered Commodore Kage to deal with the idol groups, as they were asking for information. The Lord Admiral then received an Astropathic message from Ash, who was aboard the Aquila's Honor. Ash provided crucial information regarding the situation in the Deimios Binary System.

"Admiral Spire, the Deimios Binary System is heavily occupied by a substantial Traitor fleet comprised of various Grand Battalions of Iron Warriors, with another Iron Warriors Grand Battalion occupying the system," Ash Ketchum spoke via the astropathic message, "As I speak, Sergeant Rafen's Blood Angels have commenced their assault on the chaos-occupied shipyard, with a beachhead for the eventual landing of Black Templars' Crusader Squads being established on Drydock One of the shipyard. It'll be some time before the Black Templars make their landing, but I can see the Holy Reckoning preparing to launch Thunderhawks."

Hearing the mention of the Black Templars, the Strike Cruiser Wrath of Sigismund, which carried the members of BABYMETAL, broke off from the amassed fleet of idol singers and prepared to set course for the warp. The Kawaii Metal Band, whose members were now transformed into Space Marines of the Black Templars, then sent several Vox Transmissions to the Lord Admiral's Warship.

"Lord Admiral, this is Sister Suzuka Nakamoto of the Black Templars, Sword Brethren," SU-METAL, as she was known on stage, spoke as her voice echoed over the Righteous Protector's Voxcaster, "Our brethren are embroiled in a battle. Permission to engage, over."

"She's right," another Black Templars Sword Brethren, that being Moa Kikuchi, or MOAMETAL, as she was known under her stage name, agreed with her sister-in-arms, "We can't let our fellow battle brothers and sisters be embroiled in a fight without us. We're going in!"

"Well, we can't just stand here and wait, sisters," another one of the Black Templars Sword Brethren, that being BABYMETAL's Yui Mizuno, known by her Stage Name YUIMETAL, spoke up as well, "We have to fight. Navigator, prepare to enter the warp."

"Acknowledged, Templars," Lord Admiral Spire responded as the Strike Cruiser entered the Warp, "May the emperor protect you. Stay safe out there."

After bidding the Idols farewell, Spire then absorbed the critical details, fully aware of the gravity of the situation in the Deimios Binary System as questions on where to perform erupted from the Voxcasters. The war against the forces of Chaos was intensifying minute by minute, and the Imperium's survival hung in the balance.

And that right there wraps up chapter six! Watch out for next time, in which the attack starts! Leave a review and a follow if you want to see more of this story. Thank you!