On the bridge of the Blade of Sorrow, a vast holographic star map revolved silently at the center. Saul stood motionless on the command dais, his adjutants, Gareth and Klaest, flanking him from behind like two silent statues.
Just then, a faint but distinct alarm broke the silence on the bridge.
"Massive Warp fluctuations detected! In the safe zone directly behind our fleet!" A Tech-Priest's voice trembled with irrepressible excitement. "Identification signals... the highest authorization codes of the Adeptus Custodes! And... the Imperial Fists!"
Before he had finished speaking, the pitch-black void beyond the bridge's enormous armoured viewport suddenly tore open.
One, ten, hundreds of immense Warp rifts opened in perfect synchrony, like the eyes of gods. A moment later, a vast fleet emerged with solemn majesty, like steel beasts sailing out of myth.
Leading the formation were dozens of Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers bearing the striking insignia of the Imperial Fists Chapter. Their hulls were angular and ponderous, like mobile fortresses flying through space. Huge, menacing rams gleamed coldly at their bows, as though ready to smash anything in their path into cosmic dust.
Close behind came the ark transports of several heavy Knight Houses. Through their enormous viewports, the towering forms of Knight Titans, dozens of meters tall, could just be made out. Like sleeping giants, they stood silently in their hangars, awaiting the call to war.
On the fleet's flank, a somewhat smaller but far more dazzling formation made everyone hold their breath.
It was a fleet wrought from pure, brilliant gold. Every warship had graceful, flowing lines imbued with classical artistry, as though these were not war machines but works of art from the Emperor's own gardens. Ornate eagle and lightning heraldry adorned their hulls, glittering in the starlight and radiating a sacred majesty that