"William, a small battle fleet has appeared on our flank: a Firestorm Frigate from a Forge World in Segmentum Obscurus, a Defiant-class Light Cruiser, a Storm-class Frigate..."
What was absurd was not the size of the fleet, but its composition. It had old and new ships from every subsector, ranging from 42K vessels to relic warships from the Great Crusade.
The ships were not large-the biggest was only a Light Cruiser-but their lavish decorations and the ridiculous number of noble family crests showed that this was an aristocratic fleet.
"Ignore them. Stay cloaked and proceed at full speed."
The fleet soon fell in behind the flagship. Just as we were preparing to enter the Warp, the sensors picked up energy signatures from a fleet engagement ahead.
Everyone immediately went on alert, and a Battle Barge was dispatched. The ship had a rather peculiar history. Originally assigned to one of Guilliman's newly founded Primaris Warrior Chapters, it had joined us after "losing its way." Its previous owners, however, had met a rather ill-fated end.
When that Battle Barge "drifted out," Evan actually breathed a sigh of relief.
Do you think fighting poison with poison works?
Maturio: "Lamenters, advance with me!"
Several warships circled a mass of debris and fired until most of their lances needed to cool down.
Herrick was now captain in name, but he had drawn up all the plans for the next several days in one go, delegated the specific tasks to the surviving department heads, then shut himself in his room.
He did not attend the victory banquet, though he ordered the greatly relieved soldiers to bring their treasured wines to his room. No one saw him for several days afterward.
Herrick leafed through the little book the old captain had kept hidden on his person. Much