When the Word Bearers fleet exposed its rear to the Salamanders Legion, they never suspected Vulkan's betrayal.
The Salamanders Legion's warships were approaching the Colchis Defense Line along their designated routes. Their identification signals were all normal, and Vulkan's gentle, steady voice still came through the Communications Channel.
The Word Bearers' fleet commanders had even prepared welcoming speeches for these reinforcements from afar.
They lowered their guard, entrusted their flanks and rear defenses to these "allies," and placed their safety in their trust in a brother Legion.
They never imagined that the approaching fleet no longer belonged to the Imperium.
When the green psychic energy of Chaos tore through reality and plunged into the rear of the Word Bearers fleet like an enormous dagger, it was already too late.
Green energy beams fired from the Salamanders Legion's warships, striking the engines and bridges of the unsuspecting Word Bearers vessels with precision.
Void Shields burst like soap bubbles under the green energy's assault, and armor plates were torn apart like paper by the corrosive power of Chaos. Warships exploded into balls of fire, while their crews' screams echoed through the Communications Channel.
Dozens of torpedoes launched from the Salamanders Legion's warships, trailing green flames as they attacked the rear of the Wave Cannon Fleet.
The torpedoes detonated among the warships, releasing corrosive green clouds that ate countless holes through their armor and structural frames.
The warships carrying Wave Cannons exploded one after another under the torpedo strikes, turning into brilliant bursts of fireworks.
"Attention! Attention! Attention!"
"Vulkan has turned traitor too! The Salamanders Legion has betrayed us too!"
The piercing cries rang through the Colchis Garrison Fleet's Communications Channel, mingled with the roar of explosions, the screams of crew members, the shouts of officers, and the shrill wail of alarms.
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