Aurora Ferrheim, III's Story

The remaining torpedoes closed in, but the Underbelly of the Reverence II was just as protected as the rest of the ship, the Torpedoes struck against the milky-white ribbon of light that protected the underside of the Aschen Carrier, stripping them of most of their kinetic energy, as they moved to strike against the Kanvium hull plating of the armored bay doors. The Kanvium, like the first Torpedo impacts rippled, and dispersed the remaining kinetic energy before returning to it's original state.

The Impact was felt all through the ship, and sparks showered the CIC as Admiral Nash pulled herself back to her feet.

"We can't keep this up! Admiral we're going to lose primary shields!" The Tactical officer called out. "Hull cladding will take most of the brunt, but not much, we need to get out of this soup!"

"Weapons capacitors at seventy five percent." EVE reported. "Signal confirmation, Langaran fleet will arrive in two Millicentons. Emperor is returning to Langara, Once departure from the Sirius system is confirmed, we can disengage, and retreat. I have almost completed analysis of Hegelian ships, but we still do not know total disposition."

"Primary shields are at twenty five percent." EVE Added.

"Activate hard light shields, divert additional power to weapons, and shield systems. Cycle primary shield recharge, and get us back into the fight." Nash ordered.

"Acknowledged." The XO Called out.


The Absolution suddenly ceased fire, but the other Aschen ships in the fleet kept up the pressure, it was at this moment the Absolution cocooned itself in a hexagonal series of interlocking plates of hard light, which shimmered into existence, and locked the entire ship in a cocoon of light. The ribbon of light that was originally protecting it vanished, leaving the Hard Light shield in place to provide supplementary protection.

---

The Bloodied Spirit winked into existence danger close to the port side of the Hyacinth, maybe a scant one hundred kilometers away, parallel to the Hegelian ship. The instant it appeared, it unleashed it's withering broadside against the smaller Hegelian ship. One thousand five hundred Turbodisruptor emplacements lit up, sending a sustained, sequential hail of Turbodisruptor bolts that would aim to slam into it's hull. The salvo didn't stop however, and the second Reverence II kept firing, concentrating it's weapons fire on a single point center-mass on the Hegelian cruiser.

The remaining weapon emplacements unleashed against the surrounding Hegelian ships with frightening precision. With one thousand five hundred Starboard turbodisruptor emplacements, Five hundred forward, seven hundred ventral, and five hundred on the ship's dorsal side. It unleashed a torrential barrage of Disruptor fire in all directions, with it's starboard side focused on a single ship.

The Aschen cruisers that jumped in with the Reverence kept a staggered Capital phalanx position, opening fire on the other Hegelian support ships in much the same manner, a non stop torrent of a mix of Turbodisruptor, missile ordinance containing both quantum plasmid, and nuclear fusion, and lastly solid kinetic projectiles. With the aim to wither down the Hegelian numbers with sheer overwhelming firepower.

Unlike the Absolution, the Bloodied Spirit came in fresh, shields and weapons fully charged.

There was also the three Frag cannon rounds to consider, which would likely slam into the Hyacinth with enough kinetic energy to punch clean through the ship's superstructure.

Aurora whirled her outstretched hand above her head and out to the left with a snap, her outstretched palm facing the Bloodied Spirit directly as she sneered into her power.

The entire humming glow surrounding the million-strong capital fleet arced into a brilliant web of charged plasma, phasing through the multi-layered plane of the manyverse as it cascaded through the anchorstones placed by generations prior. Swirling rivers of white-hot hellfire engulfed the space between the ships, snapping and jumping from vessel to vessel in an indiscriminate torrent of destruction for the thousands of kilometers across the fleets.

Just then, three 1.5 megaton tungsten shells slammed into the Hyacinth, embedding themselves within her hull as the crystalline superstructure shattered, but the non-Newtonian biomass therein absorbed the momentum of the blow and turned the slugs into glowing decorations. She listed to port as the energy dissipated, bringing her upper side to face the Bloodied Spirit.

Aurora's arm continued to track the enemy supercapital, rising slowly as her own ship rotated about its axis. In the seconds since, as her ship's armor continued to be scarred by the disruptors, a parabolic arc of white energy converged towards the Bloodied Spirit, separating the Hyacinth from its onslaught.

As the field absorbed the fire, it began to adopt a sour green hue — humming in increasing frequency as it amalgamated mass and energy. Aurora was now channeling the enemy fleet's fire into her own reserves.

---

Included with the explosive display of fireworks was Aleksander's auxillary fleet, which had up until now simply held their fire. Over the course of a second, three massive columns of energy bridged their own network of fields with Aurora's, charging the space between with the sizzling stench of vaporized metal and flesh.

Aleksander's maneuver had been successful, the drones receiving minimal losses as their gained momentum and close proximity kept them well beyond the tracking speed of the supercapital's weapons during their acceleration onto the rest of the fleet. They continued onwards, scattering about the fleet to carve into the hulls in an effort to inflict as widespread damage as possible, falling off as the storm of flak occasionally landed a square blow on their otherwise wildly-resilient sentient hulls.

In the hum of the tangled web, Aurora's fleet had already reacted to the dozen-vessel microwarp by releasing their own drones — ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 per vessel — which were rapidly converging on the now-isolated subgroup of Aschen rebels. Their numbers seemed endless, and they were fast little buggers, too.

Aleksander smiled as his ship coasted past the volley of hastily-fired shells, gripping the chair in his right hand to stabilize himself as a handful of shells slammed into the aft of the Harrfeldt despite his overtake speed. No matter that his ship was now tilting aft-over-end from the momentum, the rest of his hunter-killer group now had the Absolution surrounded.

Bubble up. Let's finish this.

he commanded, resulting in the radial acceleration of the iridescent sheen from his group of Dommfeldt-class battlecruisers outwards, racing towards the Absolution.

Black Templar’s Fleet: Crusade Fleet under Marshal Renalanus Phorixx.

Battle Barge: Crusader Of Truth
Battle Barge: The Emperors Halberd
Battle Barge: Righteous Fury

Weaponry: Dorsal-mounted bombardment cannons. Each cannon comprises a series of heavyweight batteries, huge turret-mounted linear accelerators that launch salvos of heavy magma bomb warheads. Also maintains a hefty compliment of Macro-cannons, Plasma projectors, Fusion Beamers, and missile launchers

Armor: Constructed with its unique role of low-orbit planetary assault in mind, the battle barges’ skeletons were forged from a an ultra-dense alloy. The rare base mineral can only be mined from the sites of recent volcanic eruptions, and is further hardened by ballast compression tanks situated on high-gravity moons. The pressurized environment hardens the alloy, ensuring the superstructure is reinforced. These inner frameworks were then girded in kilometres of hardened plasteel and adamantium, and edged with thick ferrocrete buttresses that surround the main hull like a reinforced rib-cage. Finally, a second and ablative layer of armour was added to each vessel’s prow. Each Battle Barge also contains layers of Void Shields

Strike Cruisers: 6
Equipped with two Macro cannons and one Bombardment Cannon.

Strike Cruisers: 7
Equipped with Two missile launchers and one Bombardment cannon

Vanguard Class Light Cruiser Mk. I: 6

Armed with Torpedo launchers, Macrocannons, and launch bays for Attack Craft.

Vanguard Class Light Cruiser Mk. II: 4

Armed with Lances, Macrocannons, and Attack Craft launch bays.

Vanguard Class Light Cruiser Mk III: 4

Armed with a single Bombardment Cannon, Macrocannons, and Attack Craft Launch Bays.


Escort Vessels:
Gladius Class Frigate: 14
Armed with Lance weaponry

Crew

1,000 Black Templar’s Space Marines

2,500 Chapter Serfs

3,000,000 Servitors



“Marshal, Warp space jump complete. Exiting into real space momentarily.” One of the Chapters Techmarines reported as a tear opened up in reality within the Norma Arm. There were reports that this area was a notorious hideout for pirates, as such the Black Templar’s of the Imperium’s mighty Space Marine chapters, the angels of death have come to this sector of the universe.

From the tear of reality, massive regal and ordained ships began to exit from the openings, 44 ships in total. Their mission in their mind was the extermination of the pirates here, believing them to be Eldar Corsairs or even Chaos Raiders hiding out in the asteroid belts. As sensors were trying to pick up activity, the first to pick up anything was radio chatter. Their Vox Communicae was picking up up a familiar frequency seen before during Terra. It was Aschen in origin however they were not clear what the message was due to them not receiving it.

The Imperium had few encounters with them, one requesting a trade of technology and the other was attacking the Guardsman on Terra after they would attempt a coup. However their Emperor was in a meeting with one of their own, as such they dared not do anything that would interfere with the Emperors plans you attacking them, however sensors began to pick up massive amounts of fire being exchanged nearby.

“Marshal Renalanus To Fleet. Prepare all weapons and ready shields, if it’s the Eldari or the hateful enemies of Chaos fire on sight at once. Massive amounts of weapon fire has been detected in the area. In the Emperors name we serve.” The Marshal ordered to fleet as the ships set course to where the weapons fire was was detected through the asteroid belt.

"Coordinates locked in, recommend tactical jump." Eve advised as the display highlighted the cruisers that were moving in to surround them.

Briefly, Nash looked over to damage reports, so far, the shields of both reverences withstood the onslaught of drones, but her own hard light shields were beginning to show their signs of stress. Slowly, they shifted from a brilliant blue, to a red hue with each weapon impact, but the hard light shields held fast no matter what the Hegelians threw at it.

Drone onslaughts were subject to the AI tracked weapons of the aegis cruisers, which had point defense, and flak weapons specifically engineered to track, and engage fast moving strike craft. Drones that got too close to these aegis cruisers were felled by the tens of thousands through a combination of flak, and stormbringer point defense laser systems.

Gritting her teeth, Nash was barely making a dent in the enemy formations. It didn't matter though, a plethora of data was obtained for the Eggheads over at the iia to study, the prowlers had completed their mission, taking some rather detailed footage of the Hegelian ships before returning safely back to the Absolution.

"We have signal confirmation, Continuum, Taiyou, and the First Langaran fleets are positioning to assist us, stand by for time estimate for reinforcements."

Nodding, Nash let her hands dance across the holographic display, she had to put some distance between her ships, and the enemy.

"Initiate tactical jump, anywhere in the system, get us out of this soup. Initiate Planck packs the moment we exit jump. I don't want them following us." Nash ordered.

Without so much as a hesitation, the Absolution winked away with a brilliant flash, leaving a void in it's wake.

Moments followed, and nearly a hundred aschen ships winked away with it, leaving the Command Carrier and about a thousand aschen capital ships to remain in the fight.

The Absolution and her escorts flickered into existence nearly a hundred AU away inside the star systems oort cloud, far beyond the range of the Hegelian ships.

"Fleet is synchronizing ftl drives for jump, all ships will be synchronized in two millicentons." Eve reported.

With a brief respite, the Absolution could recharge shields.

The bloodied spirit followed a similar path, as it became evidence that her weapons were no longer effective, the supercarrier vanished in a flash of white light and a brief release of spatial energies. The accompanying fleet immediately followed suit, winking away from Aurora's formation.


The thousands of Aschen ships followed suit, those with intact ftl and valid synchronization points winked away from the onslaught of drones and capital ships, joining the battered Absolution in the far end of the system. But with the arrival of the Imperium, things grew even more tense for the Aschen.

"Imperium ships detected." Eve reported in the silence following their brief retreat, and Nash grimaced.

Things seemed to only get worse.

Warp inhibiting Planck packs began to slowly charge, and come online.

"Let's recalibrate for an exit jump, Shaw protocol." Nash added.

It was at this time that several ships appeared, cloaked in a yellowish-green energy veil. They were visibly decelerating with haste as they retained a formation ready for battle. The yellow-green veils soon receded, replaced by a yellow-purple sphere around each ship that shimmered for several seconds before completely fading from sight. Their designs were vaguely insectoid/robotic, and they were colored in darker shades of grey, green, and red with purple, yellow, and orange glowing patterns across certain features. No doubt the designs were born of a combination of things thought to instill fear from the Continuum's point of view.

Indeed, the logo the ships bore identified them as Continuum, and their armor had the distinctive, subtly quivering sheen of something not truly inanimate and the reflective crystalline plating atop it along with a rubbery material that was smooth. Their weapons were visible and appeared to be of simpler designs, though it was likely just an aesthetic choice, as their lights showed something far more.

The fleet itself quickly grew in number up until there were almost 1000 ships aside from the overly large central one. A paling number compared to the involved fleets, but it was clear that they had to be sure of themselves if they brought a smaller number. The largest ship appeared to be almost the size of a small moon, and the fleet was carefully assembled and numbered in designs to provide a well-balanced challenge if anyone dared try.

Four smaller satellite fleets eventually entered the area, visibly slowing down. Each numbered nearly 500 ships beyond the central ship of each satellite fleet, though these fleets seemed more specialized than the main fleet. The satellite fleets took up specific positions around the main fleet in a defensive formation. No communication was made toward the others already present, sans the Aschen as the large central ship of the main fleet flashed a pattern of lights toward the Aschen fleet in a pattern long known to them; a sign of alliance and support that indicated the Continuum was about to provide the military assistance arranged for as per existing treaty application. Additionally, the Aschen would receive a video message if they had the resources available to respond.

A white-haired bold and smug-looking female humanoid with vulpine ears and tail was on the screen, standing firm and tall (or as tall as she could stand) as if at what others might call "attention". With a fist across her bountiful chest, that her uniform was able to keep in check even while buttoned properly, the female humanoid commanded a level of respect through her presence she imposed. A long blade was kept neatly at her side, appearing as a cross between a rapier and a katana, and it stood out for its unique design. It was kept opposite a large hand-cannon that was holstered, a hand-cannon that looked quite dangerous even when put away. She spoke clearly, using mostly well-practiced, if somewhat accented, Anquietas (bar some minor word order flubs). The whole proper greeting and addressing, as well as language grasp, was quite impressive for an apparent non-diplomat.

A~hahaha! Ad Vic'toriam, Ab'solution Ac'tual! Hel'lo! I am t'he C'T-6 for t'he Con'tinuum f'leet. T'he As'c'hen al'lies' reques'ted as'sis'tan'ce for'ces have ar'rived! Do w'hat you mus't; we wil'l p'rovide g'reat firepower bac'kin'g!

The fleet was quite immense...

Continuum Stay Armada, under CT-6 R'laet'te K'las'ga - 3000 Ships

Primary Fleet - x1000
Supercarrier - x1 (CRYSTON-SC♚)
Gooebomb - x1
Starbase - x2
Dreadnaught - x6
Battleship - x20
Heavy Carrier - x20
Battle Cruiser - x60
Cruiser - x70
Light Cruiser - x120
Destroyer - x200
Frigate - x200
Escort - x300

Satellite Fleet A - x500
Dreadnaught - x1 (CRYSTON-DN♜)
Starbase - x1
Battleship - x4
Heavy Carrier - x4
Battle Cruiser - x20
Cruiser - x70
Light Cruiser - x120
Destroyer - x80
Escort - x200

Satellite Fleet B - x500
Dreadnaught - x1 (CRYSTON-DN♜)
Starbase - x1
Battleship - x4
Heavy Carrier - x4
Battle Cruiser - x20
Cruiser - x70
Light Cruiser - x120
Destroyer - x80
Escort - x200

Satellite Fleet C - x500
Dreadnaught - x1 (CRYSTON-DN♜)
Starbase - x1
Battleship - x4
Heavy Carrier - x4
Battle Cruiser - x30
Cruiser - x70
Light Cruiser - x80
Destroyer - x120
Escort - x190

Satellite Fleet D - x500
Dreadnaught - x1 (CRYSTON-DN♜)
Starbase - x1
Battleship - x4
Heavy Carrier - x4
Battle Cruiser - x30
Cruiser - x70
Light Cruiser - x80
Destroyer - x120
Escort - x190

Adopting an aggressive formation, the Continuum ships prepared to engage Hegalian forces, making the short trip toward them, staying close to the large central ship that made the Dreadnaughts surrounding it look like mere Cruisers at best in comparison.

Admiral Nash grasped the console in silent consideration, as she watched the Hegelian formation on the holographic projection in front of her.

EVE's voice chimed into the CIC. "Priority one alert from the Scylla, and Director Angel!"

Nash looked up to the display. "Patch it through!" As she considered her next move.

"You've been instructed to retreat from this battle, and return your fleet to Imperial Space at once. This is a priority one directive."

EVE's serenity was abruptly cut by the chime of the DRADIS Systems. "Sir! We have two FTL Signatures on the far side of the system!" The Bridge officer called out. "Identifying.... they're Thunderbolt--"

The pair of Thunderbolt Missiles detonated roughly a hundred AU from the Aschen fleet, and while it seemed to be random, the path, and location of the Detonation was precisely calculated to create an intercept course for an approaching ship.

"Tricobalt explosion detected!" What the frak is going on!?" The Officer called out.

Nash was just as confused. Were they planning on saturating the system?

"As Soon as the FTL Drives are synchronized! Get us the frak out of here!"