Luchas looked at the astrogation displays. The massive cogitator banks were struggling to keep abreast of the positions of the fleet as they entire fleet struggled to maintain the holding patterns within the empyrean. The display indicated that the fleet was composed mostly of cruisers. Nine massive cruisers formed a protective ring around the three capital ships of the fleet. A diabolical warship in the shape of a desolator class battleship held sway in the middle. Ahead of it floated two repulsive class grand cruisers. They were surrounded by a shoal of idolator and infidel class raiders as well as many iconoclast destroyers. There were no transport ships within this fleet. This was a hunting fleet and they were awaiting their quarry. A feeling of dread emanated from the fleet that was quite palpable even through the vid-logs. He knew that the command crews of the fleet were composed of men from the Night Lords legion. Debased excuses for humanity, who excelled at stealth but also relished the terror and indiscriminate death they dealt to all and sundry. These were men without principles, who made war for its own sake and killed for the pure and simple pleasure of the terror it sowed. Why they were headed in to the Caliban system he did not know, but the size of the fleet and the deviousness of his own mentor pointed to an event of mega proportions. Luchas once again thumbed through the various fire controls, considering the tactical dispositions repeatedly until he was satisfied. He was pleased that he had managed to form a pact with a number of the smaller iconoclast destroyers. These were all commanded by rogue and renegade pirate captains. They were mere humans, who balked at the massive frame of the space marine and unquestioningly agreed to join him in a loose confederation. Through a mix of convincing tactical discussions and terrifying display of his own power he had forced them to slave their targeting cogitators and sensor augers to his own ship, giving his vessel an extended range for sensor sweeps and complete control of the combined firepower of the smaller ships. He had played the role of the outcast for long enough and had been relegated to the rear of the formation, ostensibly to guard the vulnerable rear of the main ships of the line. He remembered every fallen commander he had served with. Great names such as Dragien came to the forefront. But now he served only one man, and he remembered the last words of command that had emanated from the lips of his mentor. His mentor was right and he, Luchas, was ready to face his destiny. On the bridge of the "Renegades Death" pirate captain Dalamere received a single command from the "Eviscerator". "Advance at flank speed and begin orbital bombardment of the target co-ordinates!" On an isolated asteroid Gravad heard his subordinates transmitted command and five raptors synchronously activated their jump packs in eager anticipation. The real battle for Caliban was about to begin in earnest. |
CHAPTER XVI: LORDS OF THE NIGHT (Cont) Chronicled By ( Shadow Guard ) |
GATHERING OF ANGELS |
This section provides the narrative history of the events that took place during the Gathering of Angels campaign conducted by the Inner Circle, during Abaddon's Thirteenth Black Crusade. This is in no way the official GW version nor is it in anyway an attempt to infringe on their IP. There are many versions of imperial history buried within the sands of time and this is but just one of them. Read on if you dare! |
