Vulkan Arrives

Although the astropathic message Vulkan sent showed that they would arrive at Nostramo in three Terran days,

they actually arrived seven Terran days later.

Just as Lox had expected, the dark gods of the Warp would not sit by and watch humanity develop so smoothly.

At such a critical moment, they were bound to make their presence known, clinging on like a festering sore.

Perhaps the four Chaos Gods could not interfere with the material universe at will, but the Warp had always been their home ground. Stirring up a storm there was effortless.

As Lox waited anxiously, the Salamanders' supporting fleet finally translated out at the Mandeville Point.

At the head of the Salamanders fleet was a Tempest-class planetary battleship named the Eternal Ember.

However, this warship had clearly undergone custom modifications. Compared to the standard pattern, it looked far larger and bulkier.

This enormous fleet numbered roughly four hundred vessels.

The Salamanders Legion did not possess many warships to begin with, and this time they had brought most of their assets to provide support.

"Quick, send them a signal. We've prepared supply points and repair docks in the Nostramo system. We can welcome them properly."

Lox spoke with some urgency.

A few seconds later, an unusually deep and mountain-like voice came through the communicator.

"This is Vulkan. I have led my fleet here in answer to the Imperium's call."

After passing identification checks, the Salamanders fleet began moving into the repair docks Lox had mentioned.

Even from outward appearances alone, it was clear that this Salamanders fleet had likely encountered considerable trouble in the Warp.

Even the flagship, the Eternal Ember, still bore mottled scars across its heavy iron-gray armor.

Its prow ram, gun batteries, and the tower antennae along its upper hull all showed varying degrees of