The Astra Militarum positions on Nurhalla had been destroyed. After a fierce, exhilarating battle, the army of blood had broken through the Imperium's defensive line.
They had grown stronger, Khorne's blessings deepening after the brutal siege. But it had all been worth it: the Astartes forces had largely finished assembling. In Segmentum Obscurus, the situation was clear and simple. The spearhead of the Blood Legion twisted, thrust, and shattered against the center of the Imperium's shield.
Macragge's Honour held station in orbit over the Dingyuan Star System, surrounded by countless ships of the Imperial Fleet. Tyrant-class, Lunar-class, Retribution-class-even ancient Fairy-class vessels had been deployed.
The Imperium's emergency recruitment had left the entire fleet unstable. Many warships had been laid up in port, only taking on recruits during wartime to save on military expenditure. This also left their lower decks teeming with cultists and Chaos worshippers.
Fortunately, the Primaris Astartes Chapters born of Guilliman's latest massive military expansion had finished assembling. Elite veterans who had survived the Tyranid invasions-the handful left alive when their Chapters were annihilated-had become new Chapter Masters, ready to settle the score with the traitors.
"Lord Regent, initial reconnaissance shows the enemy advancing from three star systems simultaneously. We believe they're following this main Warp route." On the large display, one route lit up on the map of Warp passages.
Guilliman's gaze slowly followed the route toward its rear. It connected several vital worlds. The enemy could not be allowed to advance any farther.
At the Mandeville Point, thousands upon thousands of Warp Rifts were violently torn open. Scarlet light bled from the Warp into this beautiful star system, and destructive power rippled between the stars.
The ships serving the Brass Throne were shrouded in bloody vapors. Enormous smokestacks jutted from the terrifying warships built by the