The rebel forces of the Sons of Horus and the Iron Warriors activated their orbital defense systems in perfect order. The spaceborne orbital platforms established around the fringe worlds powered up their reactors, and amid the grinding of gears and machinery, massive Weapon Arrays turned toward the depths of space.
High-energy nuclear reactions intensified without pause, drawing upon surging power to reinforce the void shields. At the same time, the battleships and cruisers in space began turning, aiming their main guns at the locations flagged by the scanning arrays.
"Attention, all personnel! Maintain combat readiness!"
The quality of the Sons of Horus needed no further explanation. As the Warmaster's personal guard, their troops and fighting spirit were among the finest.
They began inspecting the status of the defense systems, while numerous overseers cracked their whips, lashing the careless mortal slaves.
The sickening sound of leather striking flesh rang out one after another. The priests of the Dark Mechanicum prayed to their gods, using mortal blood and souls to please those machines.
The void shields of the star forts hanging in space were fully deployed, while densely packed weapon systems entered their preheating phase, ready to fire.
The frontline warning signal was immediately relayed to the supreme commander, Velen Ashurden. This outstanding Sons of Horus commander calmly began deploying the defenses according to the established plan.
More than fifteen hundred warships under his command were fighting across the Garmon Sector. Horus trusted him greatly and had entrusted most of his military strength to his command.
"I don't know what they're thinking. Have these lackeys of the false Emperor gone mad enough to ram our defensive line with warships?"
"Or do they have some other scheme they haven't revealed? A feint?"
Ashurden was baffled. He despised the dogs who blindly served the