The Maelstrom system-
When an entire main battle fleet appeared with a snap, just like the Necrons, without traveling through the Warp, chaos erupted instantly.
The Maelstrom system was a melting pot of all manner of people to begin with.
Smugglers, mercenaries, Rogue Traders.
Here, people of different species could sit down to do business. The master behind a xenos mercenary might be an Inquisitor or a Chaos Lord.
The Maelstrom system was, in effect, an enormous Black Market within the Milky Way. The Tyrant of Badab could maneuver safely between the Imperium and Chaos precisely because he provided certain under-the-table "services," sparing himself from attack.
So when a main battle fleet large enough to launch a crusade appeared here, almost no one had time to react before the entire sector was sealed off.
Huron hurried to the command center, where his "Alchemist," Amanius, was frowning at the red dots that all but blanketed the Auspex.
"Huron, you're here," Amanius said.
"Where did these ships come from? Are they Terra's Corona Fleet?" Huron asked.
"No, they're Thunderhawk's."
Huron's heart lurched. He looked at the Auspex readings again in disbelief.
The other side had more capital ships than he had cruisers. If every Strike Cruiser carried its standard complement of Astartes, nearly two legions' worth of Astartes had arrived here.
That terrifying force was enough to flatten the entire Badab Sector. The only good news, perhaps, was that they showed no intention of attacking.
Suddenly, the Auspex buzzed, and the technical officer seated at the console turned around.
"My lord, they've requested permission to dock."
Huron frowned deeply.
He looked at Amanius beside him. Amanius nodded, and only then did Huron wave his hand.
"Have them dock in the A-1 Zone. We'll go meet them."
Before long, an ordinary-looking cruiser broke