The Imperium regarded the sudden appearance of the Crimson Tide Chapter with suspicion. Although they had earned some renown in various campaigns, the Imperium knew them as a Chapter that fought year-round in Segmentum Obscurus. Their sudden arrival at Macragge, where communications had been cut off, could hardly fail to raise doubts.
Kazhaniv was decisive. He left only the name of the Crimson Tide First Company, then turned and walked away, regardless of what his brothers from the other Chapters said.
I came here to fight. The enemy ran away, so why would I stay?
It would only get in the way of my next fight.
The army of Terminators was preparing to storm the prison hulk the Lamenters had boarded when the enormous wreck suddenly burst open. There was neither flame nor black smoke. Beneath the shattered black armor plates, flesh writhed unchecked. The wailing of souls spread for several kilometers before an unknown barrier stopped it, leaving it echoing between the two.
A soul barrier formed, and the prison hulk reached toward the nearby Mother of Tears like a Tyranid Hive Ship, its appendages flailing.
The Mother of Tears Battle Barge dared not fire. Most of the Chapter's strength had boarded the opposing vessel. Who would dare act recklessly?
The Battle Barge took emergency evasive action, fleeing with the flesh-ship in pursuit.
A Navy Battleship approached, aimed at the enormous vessel, and unleashed a salvo of Lances.
A line of fire appeared across the enemy ship. Against enemies rooted in souls, energy attacks such as flames and beams were more effective than shells.
"Cease fire! The Astartes have already boarded that warship."
"Clearly, they failed."
The Imperial Navy insisted on continuing its bombardment to destroy the enormous vessel. Watching that indescribable flesh-creature thrash its metal-armored tentacles everywhere, no