The forces patrolling the borders of the Three Hundred Worlds consisted mainly of the Strike Cruiser Supreme Abyss, the Gothic-class battleship Hurricane's Fury, and several Adeptus Mechanicus gunships.
Ashlan arrived first aboard the Supreme Abyss. The warship before him was unmistakably Night Lords in style. When his attempts to hail it went unanswered, he wasted no time leading his warriors into the Assault Pods.
Just then, the Hidden Terror suddenly accelerated. Viewed from behind, its engines had not increased their output at all, yet it somehow turned and accelerated toward the Mandeville Point.
Ashlan was furious. You think you can come onto Crimson Tide territory and then run? Leave that ship behind!
The Supreme Abyss immediately gave chase, then launched a rapid boarding assault against the Hidden Terror.
Eight Assault Pods struck their target. This time, the enemy's Point-Defense Cannons did not fire, which left Ashlan puzzled.
The three Power Swords on his back clattered together. Ashlan drew his swords and stepped out of the Assault Pod, surrounded by severed limbs and the thick stench of blood.
"Captain, these seem to be human corpses."
"Of course. It's a Night Lords ship. Everyone stay alert, especially overhead."
Ashlan felt a headache coming on. They were Primaris Warriors, certainly, but far too many were new recruits.
Long corridors stretched around them. The warriors stayed close together; a tight formation was preferable when facing the Night Lords.
Lepcher said nothing. Standing on the wall of a pipe high above them, he watched the towering warriors emerge from the melta-breached pod through a grating.
Adeptus Custodes? No. Red Power Armour, a pattern I've never seen.
Lepcher felt the situation growing ever more bewildering. The stargazer had been torn apart, and he did not even know what date it was.
Unlike the cautious Night Lords