Chapter 6.4 Heeding The Call
Rogal Dorn put his head in hands. Another 4 companies had been requested by Malcador and Alpharius. Close to a fifth of the Imperial Fists were now committed to the Imperial Dungeons. He had been receiving reports from Alpharius daily, which had gone some way to ease his mind following the decision of putting him in charge of the lower defense. Contact with the enemy was minimal and there had yet to be losses amongst the Imperial Fists, but more and more pathways were being uncovered to fortify and defend which was taking more and more resources and manpower.
He needed more forces. The construction of Terra into a fortress was well under way, even with some construction elements being diverted to the Imperial Dungeons. However, the Martian Civil War had turned against the Fabricator Locum due to being deprived of resources from Terra. Ships had been intercepted carrying arms and troops for Lukas Chrom, but the material that had already slipped by was already enough to give him an edge. Rumours abounded of abominable intelligences being deployed by Chrom, something that was strenuously denied publicly.
Publicly, both Fabricator Locum Kane and Lukas Chrom official held to the Treaty of Olympus, but it was obvious Chrom was in the pocket of the Nikaean Rebels. Should he win, anything they required he would put at their disposal. Rogal had considered deploying a few companies of Imperial Fists on Mars, but with the increasing demands of the Imperial Dungeon he had tabled that decision until he had more forces to make use of.
Dorn was confident Kane could hold for now. Although he was on the back foot the Fabricator Locum still had plenty of forces and resources before the supply lines from Terra had dried up. However it was a slow agonizing death for his forces if Rogal couldn't find something else to send to Mars.
Equally important was Alpharius' demands however. If even 2 enemy Legions came at the defences in the Webway at this moment it was very likely they would break through. Rogal did not doubt the capabilities of his sons, nor of the Ten Thousand or Sisters of Silence that had taken up their vigil alongside them. However, Dorn knew that quantity was a quality of its own. If even 2 Legions came, it would not purely be the Astartes that they would need to face. There would be ex-Imperial Army soldiers with all their equipment, Titans with all their support units, not to mention the horrors claimed by Malcador that were already assaulting the lines.
'I need one more…' thought Dorn, 'Just one more. One more brother. One more Legion. Something. Anything to take away the pressure.'
As if summoned by his words, a chime sounded to alert Rogal to an incoming communication. Captain Sigismund's clipped tones rang out across the line.
"My Lord, reports from the long-range observatories. We have a fleet emerging at the edge of the system. We are scrambling for an accurate ident now."
"I doubt it's Fulgrim back this soon," murmured Rogal, "I hope for all our sakes that my day is about to get better rather than worse. I shall be out momentarily, Sigismund. Whomever it is I will want to speak with them directly."
"Should we have the Solar Fleet ready for action?"
"Indeed," replied Dorn, "We need to prepare for if this is the first wave of an attack."
Half an hour later, Rogal was stood in the command centre, individuals running back and forth around him to accomplish the necessary task of protecting Terra. In orbit, the majority of the Solar Fleet, backed up by the Imperial Fist's own vessels and the Phalanx stood guard, awaiting news as to whether today was the day they would welcome allies, or engage their foes.
Beside Rogal and Sigismund stood Sejanus and Tarik. The Sons of Horus had not been permitted into the Imperial Dungeons just yet. Despite this however, their loyalty seemed proven enough on a certain level, and so the First Captain of the Imperial Fists had chosen to keep them close.
"Do you think its the 'other wolves'?" asked Sejanus in a low tone.
"More than likely," replied Tarik, "Say what you want about the Vlka Fenryka but they always heed their Master's call."
"Would that it were Russ and the Space Wolves," rumbled Dorn, "I don't think there is any brother I would be more pleased to see."
"We're still running checks but they don't believe its the Sixth Legion," called Sigismund from the sensor station, "The Wolves have a very distinct pattern to their vessels and we aren't seeing that. Its something else a bit usual though..."
"Not the Wolves then," muttered Sejanus.
"Death Guard?" asked Tarik.
"We can but hope," replied Rogal, his fist clenching tightly as he waited.
"We're getting confirmation on the lead ship my Lord," said Sigismund, cooly, "Final confirmation coming through."
Rogal Dorn closed his eyes and wished like a small child for a friend and not a foe. Sejanus and Tarik just watched as the most powerful man in the Imperium at this time stood like a statue, his eyes screwed up as if in concentration.
"We're getting a name… it's… well… it's the Conquerer My Lord."
"The Conquerer?!" exclaimed Rogal with shock, "Are you certain?"
"You can't be serious..." mumbled Sejanus under his breath.
"The Conquerer..." murmured Tarik, "Isn't that..."
Dorn gritted his teeth. The Conquerer. Certainly not a good omen. He had been hoping for Russ or Mortarion, or even Roboute at this point. But all hopes had now been dashed for that resolution. At least they now had certainty of who they were dealing with. The only question now was what they were here for.
"Phalanx reports Solar Fleet is standing by on your command," called Sigismund.
"Tell them not to fire until I give my command," barked Rogal, "Also no breaking formation. Whatever is going to transpire is going to happen with our lines maintaining structure."
"Yes, my Lord."
"What is their vector?"
"Coming in past the outer system, we should have communications shortly. They aren't in an offensive formation, it should be noted."
"Not in an offensive formation?" said Tarik under his breath, "When have they ever not been in an offensive formation. I mean we are talking about the Wo-"
"We're receiving a communication from the Conquerer!" called Sigismund.
"This should be interesting…" muttered Dorn, "Patch it through."
"Terra Control, this is Captain Lotara Sarrin of the Conquerer, are you receiving?"
"This is Praetorian Rogal Dorn at Terra Command here, Captain," replied Dorn, "I must admit I wasn't expecting Twelfth Legion to respond to our calls for aid."
"Well, I can turn around and take them away if you'd prefer, Lord Praetorian," said Captain Sarrin, dryly.
"By no means," urged Rogal, "Is... Angron... with your fleet?"
"He is," replied Lotara with some hesitation, "However he is not available for communications at his time. His Equerry is here though. Let me transfer you."
A brief pause followed, as Rogal examined the size of the incoming fleet. The entirety of the Twelfth was on its way. The World Eaters of Angron. Hundreds of ships carrying blood crazed berserkers on their way to the heart of the Imperium. Dorn wasn't sure if this was a blessing or a curse. They weren't actively hostile though and Angron wasn't exactly known for sneak attacks. Rogal allowed himself to relax a little, they weren't looking proactively at a conflict right now at least. If the World Eaters were hostile they wouldn't have bothered with a polite conversation.
"My Lord Praetorian," came a new voice, "This is Captain Kharn of the World Eaters speaking. Forgive my Lord's absence, he is not well at this time."
"What do you mean 'not well', Captain?" enquired Rogal, with some bafflement in his tone.
"To put it mildly my Lord Praetorian… My Lord Angron is... dying," replied Kharn, "The butchers nails have always been a significant damage to his body and mind. That damage is swiftly becoming fatal. More and more he is forced to isolation for his own safety and that of the Legion. The apothecaries have given their diagnosis as terminal within the year. Even with his Primarch biology there is only so much his mind and body can take. He has taken to much seclusion of late, lest he end up butchering most of the senior captains again."
"I am… sorry… to heard that," said Rogal, allowing an edge of somberness into his voice whilst also thinking on the word 'Again', "But I take it he heard our plea for aid and made all haste to reach Terra."
"We were already on our way to Terra when we received your call, Lord Praetorian," answered Kharn to Rogal's surprise, "We simply continued our approach with as much haste as we could muster."
"You were? Why?" asked Rogal with some confusion.
"We encountered a Frigate. One belonging to the Sons of Sanguinius. It held a grave message that was needed at Terra with some urgency," replied Kharn, "I think this is best relayed by its carrier. One moment."
"Lord Praetorian," came a new voice, "This is Captain Nassir Amit of the Ninth Legion. What Captain Kharn speaks of is true. The Sons of Sanguinius were caught in a surprise attack by the Sons of Horus, one which left the Legion shattered. I was fortunate to have my escape pod picked up by the Ciceronian as it escaped the trap. We tried to make for Terra, but the storms blocked our path."
"We are aware of the treason, Captain Amit," said Dorn, gravely, "My brother Fulgrim and the Third Legion were caught in the wake of that treachery. Captain Vitus Salicar, along with Captains Sejanus and Torgaddon are here on Terra, delivered by Fulgrim following his escape from a trap set by the Sixteenth."
"So the Sosigenes and Captain Vitus survived? That is some good news at least," said Nassir with some relief.
"Captain Vitus certainly," replied Rogal, "I am sad to say the Sosigenes reportedly perished during the ambush on the Third Legion."
"Then she did not die in vain," said Captain Amit with some somberness returning to his voice, "The Ciceronian found itself amongst the forces of the Twelfth Legion. My chain brother was able to vouch for me to Kharn and the Primarch of the World Eaters."
"Chain brother?"
"It is hard to explain, my Lord Praetorian. The best example might be... honour or combat brother. It was something established long ago when the Sons of Sanguinius were still the Blood Angels and we fought along side the World Eaters. Suffice to say it satisfied the good Captain Kharn as to the veracity of my claims. I was able to persuade the Primarch and his Equerry that urgent action was needed to return to Terra. There was… resistance at first. However, after some discussion it was agreed to make for Terra, hastened after we received your call for aid, Lord Praetorian."
"And I am grateful that you have, Captain" said Rogal, earnestly, "And the same goes for you as well, Captain Kharn. I am certain it cannot have been an easy thing to convince my brother Angron to answer a plea for aid from Terra itself."
"That would be something of an understatement," agreed Kharn, "However my Lord does this not for the sake of the man who made a Ghost of him. He does this because his life is nearing its end. If Angron of Nuceria is to die, he shall do so on the field of battle. If Rogal Dorn, Lord Praetorian, calls for aid from Terra itself the battle is likely to be fatal. Nothing could threaten Terra that was not also a threat to the Imperium itself. If the enemy is this close, and this dangerous, death is likely to be certain. It is this reason and this reason alone that the Primarch commits his Legion to this conflict, whomever or whatever we might fight."
"I see…" said Rogal with an edge of uncertainty.
"For the World Eaters, this will likely be our end," said Kharn with some melancholy, "No matter the costs, the Primarch has ordered we are to commit ourselves fully to this fight, whomever our enemy might be. Our enemy is to be crushed absolutely, or we are to die trying. Our Lord has decreed that he and the World Eaters are to make this our last stand, though it take everything from us. We shall die together, heeding the call that no other could answer. Though his existence was wretched, something might come of my Lord's death, as might all of ours."
"If my brother wishes a fight against impossible odds, you can assure him he has it," responded Dorn, "We shall send escorts to guide you in. You will likely need to land at the Lion's Gate Spaceport, it is the closest point to where we will need you to be. More will be explained upon your arrival but we shall keep you Legion within the grounds of the Imperial Palace until fully committed."
"Do not want us walking the surface of Terra unescorted, I presume?" chuckled Kharn, "I understand. We do have somewhat of a… reputation. I shall ensure all of the Legion is kept away from the general population. Send your guides. We will make planet fall as swiftly as we may."
"My thanks to you, Captain Kharn. I shall meet you and your Lord groundside."
"Until then, Lord Praetorian."
With a click, the line was cut. Sigismund gave Rogal an incredulous look.
"Angron and the World Eaters?" he said, his voice dripping with disbelief.
"Never look a gift equine in the mouth, Sigismund," replied Rogal with a soft rebuke, "If Angron is willing to commit his Legion to the fight in the Imperial Dungeons it gives us some much-needed breathing room. With an extra Legion to give Alpharius and Malcador I feel assured we can hold until more help arrives. Regardless of what we might think of Angron and his World Eaters, they might just be the right force at the right time to hold back the tide rushing towards us."