"How could there be so much Chaos?"
Their radar screens showed the enemy fleet.
The enemy fleet was far larger than they had imagined.
How had the Imperium failed to notice Chaos arriving?
Moreover, they seemed to be piloting some terrifying colossal black weapon. This technological construct was as massive as the Imperial Fists' Phalanx. Even from afar, it radiated an oppressive pressure.
"Tax Officer Michel, with the Warp storms raging, nearly all Astropathic communication relay stations have lost contact. We have no way to transmit our message to the Imperium through the Astropaths."
Under such circumstances, the Imperium could only fight alone.
The Imperium had faced this situation countless times, and thus had various contingency plans for such events.
Though their tithe fleet was not a primary combat force, it too had contingency plans for such an event.
"Activate the Oklig Execution Plan. Disperse as an ordinary fleet and continue transporting supplies. Our mission is not to fight, but to ensure the supplies are delivered safely and accurately where they are supposed to go."
Faced with such circumstances,
all their tithe fleet could do was leave behind the main fleet to draw enemy fire, while the faster light transports fled at top speed in at least three completely different directions. As long as even one escaped, their mission would be complete.
Elsewhere in the Imperium.
On some Salamanders' ravaged homeworld, the Salamanders were clearing up the aftermath of war.
Clearly, they too could feel the Warp storm raging overhead.
The planet was littered with traces left behind by Chaos, traitors, warbands, and pirates, further proving the danger brought by the Warp storm. To them, it was an even greater storm about to arrive.
But that did not matter to the Salamanders.
Because something more important awaited them.
A fleet