Gentle Reader, this story was written purely for fun and with the intention of sharing with my friends who have little to no information of WH40k. With that said, it is also written with help from another friend, as the universe is vast and I do not know all. I have edited and updated the current chapters. I hope you enjoy it.
…
Visius sat on his command throne. A Lord Captain of the Angels of Ecstasy, a giant of a man made larger by his pale pink and black power armor of shaped adamantium and plasteel, not to mention the power of the warp that cursed through his body aiding in his size. His armor was warped in places to grant the Gifts of Slaanesh. His left arm plate grew into hardened flesh to his hand as obsidian claws tipped his fingers in a graceful but deadly arch. The left half of his face was warped, flesh twisted abnormally curving behind his head, leaving his eye a glowing pastel pink. A high cheek bone and a strong jaw graced the other half, as if carved from marble.
The Icon of Sin, a Repulsive Class Cruiser, its once gothic construction warped to curves and hues that pleased the Lord of Excess, cut through the warp followed by the rest of Visius' vanguard fleet. They were making good time to join with Commander Sorek's fleet, when the astropath sent him a message through the vox transmitter. The astropath was able to see through the warp and map the galaxy, allowing traveling through the immense distance possible.
"My Lord, there seems to be an anomaly in the next sector, It just appeared."
Visius turned his attention to the area the astropath sent him.
He felt it.
Like the chime of a silver bell, he heard it.
He amplified his psyker abilities. Silencing his mind, reaching out with his warp, and there it was, like a bright star in the darkness. Like a moth to a flame, it called to him.
"Redirect Heading." Lord Visius commanded. His voice was deep and dark, but flowed like velvet over steel. "Take us to the anomaly."
He felt the bewilderment of his crew as they adjusted course without hesitation.
Lueteniant Sithal glanced at his captain, "My Lord?"
"Patience Lieutenant. We will join the rest of the fleet against the Aldari. But at this moment, I am curious."
—-
After a few cycles of traveling the warp they neared the anomaly.
Visius could feel it more prominently now through the warp, but it was as if it was being stifled, like a dimmed.
Quickly, without hesitation, the Icon of Sin and its fleet exited the warp into normal space. The thrum of the ship engines lowering to a steady hum as it slowed, the four other ships spread out on either side of their flagship, like predators stalking prey as they advanced.
Visius opened the pic feed and the readouts appeared in his helm.
An Imperial Navy Cruiser, two escort ships and an Inquisitorial Black Ship. The gothic architecture that ran along the body of the Black ship gave off the appearance of a flying cathedral.
Visius's psyker powers flared at the site, feeling the anomaly quickly diminishing aboard the black ship.
Vicius knew that these Inquisitorial Black Ships were rare, and were the equivalent of a highly secured prison transport for psykers of various degrees.
The Black Ship and its escorts turned away, attempting to withdraw, opening up the warp. They planned on leaving without a fight. This proved to the Lord Captain that they had found something valuable.
The Naval Cruiser placed itself between the leaving Black Ship and its escorts.
"Naval Ship powering weapons."
Visius grinned, the prospect of battle sending a rush of adrenaline threw his blood.
"Follow the Black Ship, full thrust!"
The pilots initiated the thrusters once more and the large ship lurched forward.
"Lord, Stygian Beauty has made contact with the naval ship."
"Stay on the Black Ship! Follow it through!" Visius shouted, sending his psyker adrenaline throughout the bridge in a wave of warp. The crew fed off it, invigorating them.
Another officer reported. "Two ships coming out of warp, Lord."
"Identification!" Visius snapped, not wanting to be deterred, as this area suddenly became a hotspot.
"Two inferno classes, Black Legion."
A growl emanated from the Lord Captain.
"Open communications."
After several moments.
"No response, my Lord." Came the reply from the helm.
"Very well, keep an eye on them, stay on course." Visius replied.
Through his ocular implant from the ship to his helm, he saw that the Legion ships bypassed the Stygian Beauty, one had even glanced off the Naval Ship in their attempt to follow through the warp behind them.
Once in the warp all ships were at full speed, their exhaust billowed behind them in their race through the tides of the warp.
…
After several hours of traveling at full thrust, reports of his four ships came across Lord Visius' helm.
One of Visius' ships, the Spear of Excess, was reporting overheating in one of the engines.
Another report, more favorable, reported that one of the escort ships' engines have failed and is now dropping behind.
Like scavenger birds to a carcass, the two Black Legion ships that followed behind the fleet sped up, attempting to overtake the slowing ship. Positioning themselves so that one was on either side of the slowing vessel.
"Keep a wide berth." Commanded Visius, wanting to avoid any potential collateral damage.
The pic-feed showed the barrage that followed.
The three ships fired everything they had, explosions reflected off the rolling clouds of the warp.
The escort held no chance, though it had put up a respectable good defense. Its inner hull flared as metal and fire ripped outward. The remnants of the escort spun wildly from the explosions as the Black Legion ships continued their pursuit. What damage they took seemed to not phase them, though one seemed to have significant damage to its port side.
"The other escort ship is breaking off, my Lord." An Officer at the helm Reported.
"We stay on the Black Ship." Came the order.
As the escort ship veered off, the two Black Legion ships, seeming to be impatient once more, attempted to overstake the Black Ship.
Lord Visius observed their motive. "Prime the prowl Lance batteries."
As the batteries primed, the battle between the ships ensued.
The Black Ship defended well. Returning fire, critically damaging a Legion ship.
Its engines sputtered, causing parts of the aft to light up in small discharges, and soon fell behind in the warp. It's sister ship continued, leaving the other to fend for itself amongst the tides of the warp and the horrors within.
"Lances primed, my Lord!" The helm announced, his excitement could be felt through the bridge.
"Engage the Black Ship!" The blood in Visius' veins were on fire, as his body quivered and foam formed at his mouth from the excitement at taking on one of the Imperium's most feared vessels.
All ships advanced within range while the black ship focused on the legion vessel.
The light from all lance guns illuminated the warp, turbulent clouds of energy rippled around the onslaught. The rest of the fleet joined in on the carnage, all seeming to lock on to the same area of their prey.
The aft of the Black Ship mushroomed outward from the combustion of its engines. The metal twisted and warped as the ship seemed to try to hold itself together for mere seconds before giving up to the eruption.
The brutal onslaught caused the ship to tilt starboard and in a last ditch effort, the Black Ship made a desperate move to exit the warp.
Small explosions were witnessed throughout the crippled vessel as it fought to escape the warp through a hole it managed to open into normal space.
Visius gave a roar of triumph as his fleet followed the black ship out.
The presence of psykic abilities started to flicker around the black ship as its upper decks lit up from explosions.
The Black Ship flew out of the warp on momentum only, its engines completely gone. Its guns, on the other hand, worked perfectly fine, and they released it's arsenal as it tilted into range.
The Icon of Sin shuttered under the assault, but lived up to its legacy, taking damage to only insignificant systems.
The Legion's vessel positioned itself on the opposite side of the Black Ship, as it targeted their weapons.
Within his mind through the warp, Visius could see psyker presence in mostly the bowels of the Inquisitorial Black Ship, flickering. One by one they were extinguished like a flame on a candle being snuffed out. Now and then, pressure was felt as some fought back against their jailers. Other energies began moving around chaotically. The Black Ship was beginning to fall.
"Black Legion ship is preparing to board, my Lord."
"No, take out that Legion ship! All weapons, FIRE!"
Visius bellowed, pushing his emotions through the warp to enthrall and invigorate his crew.
The bridge crew practically vibrated from the surge of emotion as they obeyed.
The smaller ship turned as the Icon fired.
The Legion vessel was luckily able to maneuver itself so the damage was not critical.
But they knew they were outgunned as they strived to get out of range of the larger ships' weapons reach.
A notification bleeped on his helm signifying that the legion ship was hailing them.
Visius ignored the hail.
Slamming his fist on the armrest of his throne, Visius barked. "Kill those dogs! Don't let them escape!" He poured more psychic energy into the crew, causing an agonizing euphoria.
The Icon of Sin lurched forward, her ancient engines showing the might of its crafters.
"Finish them!" His claws raked the command throne, leaving deep gouges on the rests.
Without warning, the legion ship was engulfed in an array of hellfire.
The Legion ship tried its best to fight back returning fire to only cause minimal damage to its assaulter.
"Wipe them out, and stay on the Black ship. It's ours."
The crew obliged. Destroying the dead legion ship after a few critically placed shots. The ship disintegrated into fragments, as the others in Visius' fleet joined in on the demolition of the small vessel.
Turning back to their original prey, "The Black Ships' guns have been terminated, my Lord. numerous hull breaches on the upper decks, power is at 15 percent, life support critical."
Came the report from his other ships that stayed to disarm the prize.
Visius stood, "Hail them, and ready squads for boarding."
The hail lasted a few seconds longer than Visius wanted but someone did answer.
"This is inquisitor Keiser." The man's voice was stern as if he was trying to hold back his full hate. "You and I both know how this will go down. But I am curious as to what your demands are, traitor."
"We know you are critically damaged, and your life support is failing. Surrender yourselves peacefully, and you will have refuge on our vessels. You will also enjoy all that Slaanesh has to offer in sweet excess." Visius stated, enhancing his demand with energy to support his deal.
The line went quiet for a moment. Visius was just about to close the channel when the line opened again.
A low laugh was heard. "As 'tempting' as that sounds," the inquisitor exaggerated the word. "We will have to deny your request. For we are true children of The Emperor and will not negotiate with traitors." He spat.
"Very well." Visius cut the vox.
"True children of the Emperor, HA! If they knew how much of a lie that is."
He turned to his lieutenant, "I will be boarding that vessel, I want two squads of noise marines and terminators with me. We are going to retrieve our prize."