Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2: The Fanfic - Part Seven
"The measure of true glory is not to give battle in the bright noon of war, surrounded by brave comrades upon the field of victory, but to valiantly fight on alone in the darkness, with no hope of aid or even remembrance, and to spit defiance in midnight's eye."— Lion El'Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels, Reflections in the Mirror of War, Vol. III
OST: Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 OST: Brace for Impact
Onboard the bridge of the Righteous Protector, Lord Admiral Spire stood to watch as the Imperial war fleets prepared to warp into the Deimios Binary System, his mind occupied with the impending battle that those Imperial warships were going into and the multitude of Imperial Warships responding to the rallying order. After sending the transmission, many Imperial warships answered the call of the Lord Admiral, and many were making their way to Belisar.
"My Lord, here's the latest update on the incoming reinforcements," the Righteous Protector's Vox Officer reported to him as he started reading from a Dataslate, "The Astral Crusader, a Retribution-class battleship of Battlefleet Solar, led by Admiral Raelius, is currently en route, along with the Judgement of Terra, an Emperor-class battleship, under the command of Captain Tiberius of Battlefleet Bakka. Additionally, the Firestorm of Fury, an Adeptus Mechanicus Vengeance-Class Grand Cruiser of Forge World Uredesh under Fabricator-Locum Thelonius's command, is preparing to enter the warp as well as the following ships: the Hammer of Dawn, a Retribution-class Battleship from Battlefleet Pacificus; the Divine Retribution, a Retribution-class Battleship from Battlefleet Obscurus; and the Invictus, a Vengeance-class Grand Cruiser from Battlefleet Solar."
As the Vox Officer relayed the information, Spire nodded, his attention divided between the fleet movements and the ongoing repairs aboard the Righteous Protector. Meanwhile, in the background, repair efforts aboard the Righteous Protector continued unabated. Techpriests and servitors from the allied Adeptus Mechanicus vessels diligently worked to mend the scars inflicted upon the grand cruiser during the previous engagements with both the Emperor's children and the World Eaters.
"Keep me informed of our progress, Vox Officer," Lord Admiral Spire ordered the Vox Officer, "We need to be battle-ready as soon as possible. Tell the Techpriests to ensure that all damage is repaired and that we are ready to head into the next engagement."
Suddenly, a series of warp rifts tore open from behind the patrol of Battlefleet Gothic escort warships, and a multitude of Voidships from every faction throughout the Imperium of Man, including the Astra Millitarum, the Adeptus Astartes, the Adepta Sororitas, the Adeptus Mechanicus, you name it, it was there, emerged, each of which was bearing an unexpected cargo aboard it- Idol Groups that had come from all across the Imperium's breadth. Many notable Idol groups of the Imperium of Man, including BABYMETAL, Girl's Generation, Twice, Aespa, Exo, BLACKPINK, Perfume, Arashi, SMAP, Kanjani8, BTS, KinKi Kids, King and Prince, and others had answered the call of Ash Ketchum, Pokémon trainer turned Ultramarine and commander of the elite Suzerain Invictarus honor guard.
"Idol Groups? Here?" Lord Admiral Spire was incredulous shocked at what he was seeing from the viewport in front of him, "What in the Emperor's name is happening?'
"We don't know sir!" one of the Vox Officers spoke, "It seems that something, or someone, has attracted them here!"
Unbeknownst to the Lord Admiral, the person who had just attracted them here was now off in another system fighting a battle in defense of the Imperium.
"My lord, it appears these performers have answered the call alongside the warships," Commodore Kage stepped forward, "They seek to bolster morale and provide entertainment during these trying times."
"Very well, Commodore," Lord Admiral Spire grimaced and sighed, "Assign a liaison to each group and make preparations for their performances."
As the Vox channels buzzed with the excited chatter of the Idol Groups, Commodore Kage swiftly organized their reception and accommodations aboard the Righteous Protector. Amidst the flurry of activity, representatives from groups such as BABYMETAL, Girl's Generation, and EXO eagerly reached out, their voices mingling with the hum of the Righteous Protector's systems. Vox Officers and servitors scrambled to prepare performance venues for the Idol Groups, and it was hectic.
"Hello Imperials, we're here to spread the power of metal across the stars, courtesy of the Fox God!" Yui Mizuno from BABYMETAL excitedly radioed in on one of the Voxcasters, "We're glad to be here to perform for all of you!"
"We're honored to be here!" Taeyeon from Girl's Generation Member excitedly spoke over the Vox Relay, "Thank you for having us here, Commodore!"
"What's the plan, Commodore?" Sana, one of the Twice Members who had arrived, curiously spoke over the Voxcaster, "Are we performing?"
"Yes, we'll make sure you have the opportunity to perform," Commodore Kage assured the excited and eager performers, "Please stand by for further instructions."
OST: Dawn of War II OST - Forged In Battle
As Commodore Kage started navigating the maze of communications with the Idol Groups, Lord Admiral Spire's attention was abruptly drawn to the message that materialized from the Vox Relay before him, a manifestation of urgent news from Ash Ketchum aboard the Aquila's Honor. The message in question that the Suzerain Invicatarus Commander sent to Lord Admiral Spire then conveyed a grim reality to the Lord Admiral: the presence of a substantial Traitor fleet of Iron Warriors that were in the Deimios Binary System, their formidable forces occupying the shipyard and engaging the Ultramarines fleet in a fierce battle.
"This is Commander Ash Ketchum of the Ultramarines," Ash Ketchum's voice came over the sounds of explosions in the background, "We are under heavy fire from the traitors! The Iron Warriors' fleet is locked in a fierce engagement with the Ultramarines, and we need reinforcements, immediately! As of my transmission, the Blood Angels and the Executioners have launched their assault on the shipyard, and as I speak, they are clearing Drydock One for the Black Templars' landing. Please, Lord Admiral, we need reinforcements, on the double!"
Spire's mind raced as he processed the gravity of the situation. The mention of the Black Templars' imminent arrival in the Deimos Binary system then spurred action aboard the Blade of Sigismund, a black templars Grand Cruiser, as it was carrying the members of BABYMETAL and Perfume, who, as it turns out, were also part of the elite Sword Brethren of the Black Templars, and they prepared to join the fray. The presence of a traitor legion such as the Iron Warriors, the sons of the Primarch Perturabo and the loathed rivals of all the children of Rogal Dorn, the Praetorian of Terra and their Primarch, was an offense unto itself to a chapter descended from his gene-seed, and it spurred them into action.
"This is the Blade of Sigismund, We shall bring the Emperor's wrath to the Traitors!" Moa Kikuchi from BABYMETAL radioed the Righteous Protector in a determined voice, "We'll bring the power of the children of Rogal Dorn and the Fox God to the void! For Dorn! For the eternal crusade!"
"The Iron Warriors shall face our righteous fury!" Yuka Kashino of Perfume spoke next from the Vox Relay of the Righteous Protector, "These monsters shall know the wrath of the sons and daughters of Rogal Dorn! The Seventh Legion shall stand strong and our blades stand ready to cleanse the heresy of these monsters from the stars!"
"We stand with our brothers in the Templars, Commodore," Ayaka Nishiwaki of Perfume spoke with a determined attitude, "Navigator, prepare for Warp jump. We're heading straight into the fire. For no daemon-curses shall stay our blades, neither traitor-spawn nor Renegades, for Eternal is our Crusade!"
As the Blade of Sigismund, carrying both BABYMETAL and Perfume, initiated the warp jump to get to the Deimios Binary system, the urgency of the situation also prompted the Invicta, a mighty battle barge of the Indomitable Legion which was carrying the members of King and Prince, to break off from the fleet, ready to lend their support to the Ultramarines' cause. The Indomitable Legion was a 2nd Founding successor chapter of the Ultramarines, and they were known for being vicious fighters, brutal combatants, and for leaving behind bloody calling cards in their wake after each battle, which were the countless groaning and agonized foes, usually Chaos Space Marines or Chaos Cultists, who were then crucified and doomed to die from the elements.
"Ash, this is Captain Ren Nagase of the Indomitable Legion, we'll mobilize the Invicta immediately," Ren Nagase of King and Prince spoke firmly in a Vox Transmission to the Aquila's Honor, "The Ultramarines can count on the support of the sons of Aurelius Lanius. Once we get our hands on any of these heretical Iron Warriors after the day is won, we're going to treat them to our victory ritual."
"String their heretical skins up on Crosses, leave them out to die to the elements and wild beasts," Genki Iwahashi of King and Prince agreed with his groupmate and fellow brother of the brutal and bloody Indomitable Legion, "That's how the Indomitable Legion does it."
With their course set, the two Space Marine vessels then vanished into the Warp, racing into the Warp to join the conflict on the side of the Black Templars and the Ultramarines, respectively. Meanwhile, on the other end of the Vox Relay message, Ash Ketchum swiftly formulated a response, his voice filled with determination.
"Send the Invicta into the fray immediately, Captain Nagase," Ash Ketchum ordered the Indomitable Legion Captain, "We need every ounce of firepower we can muster if we are to take this world back from the Iron Warriors."
Back aboard the Righteous Protector, Lord Admiral Spire wasted no time in relaying his response to Ash.
"Be advised, Commander Ketchum, come of the Idol Groups that you had summoned will be on their way to bolster your forces," Lord Admiral Spire sent a transmission using the Righteous Protector's vox relay, "Stay vigilant, commander, and may the Emperor watch over us all. Spire out."
With preparations underway for their intervention in the form of three Idol Groups, Spire felt a surge of confidence knowing that Space Marine reinforcements were on their way to bolster the allied forces in the ongoing conflict. But this war was just beginning, as the Imperium was beset on all sides. Spire knew that if he were to retake the Cadian sector back from the forces of Abbadon the Despoiler, it would mean having to fight many more battles and stand against the Darkness.