Chapter 453: Chapter 453: The Fleet, the Captain, and the "Sharks"
Whoosh—Whoosh—
As the ethereal blue vortex connecting realspace to the Warp briefly appeared and disappeared, a massive legion-level fleet emerged into view. Led by a Carthage-class supercarrier, this fleet now dominated the space near Quikonto, coming into sight for Charlie, Janes Thompson, Chris Redfield, and the rest of their forces.
In addition to the colossal supercarrier, the fleet boasted:
Two Invincible-class super-heavy cruisers Four Kingfisher-class cruisers (sporting the sleek, recognizable design of the Autumn Gale of Dun series) Sixteen frigates of various models Four support vessels equipped for logistics and medical care.
This was a battle-hardened and meticulously organized strike force, capable of handling even the most complex combat scenarios.
Although the Raven Guard was one of the more recently reformed Space Marine Chapters, lacking the industrial and organizational advantages of larger legions like the Ultramarines or the Sons of Horus, the resources of the Halo Universe—its abundant manpower and seemingly endless materials—had rapidly accelerated the growth of their military strength. As the galaxy's conflicts intensified, so too had the Raven Guard's capabilities, allowing their 4th Company to field a fleet of this scale and quality.
"Wow!"
One of Charlie's squadmates couldn't contain his awe as the fleet materialized before them, its sheer size and power a humbling sight even through the shared visual feeds.
"Is this what a legion fleet looks like?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.
Another squad member, speaking in a hushed tone, chimed in, "If this is just a company fleet, imagine what a full legion fleet would look like."
A third squad member, younger and less seasoned, let out a wistful sigh, his voice tinged with admiration:
"Man, I wish we could fight alongside the legion…"
The Marines' chatter was rife with youthful enthusiasm, tinged with the naivety of soldiers yet to experience the full horrors of combat. Most of them hadn't fought in truly desperate battles like the ODST or special operations units had. Nor had they faced the terrifying "tides of heresy" that could strip away all semblance of hope or morale.
For them, the sight of the massive fleet was both inspiring and tantalizing. To fight alongside the "angels" of the Astartes was a dream that fueled their desire for glory, recognition, and purpose.
However, reality often stood in stark contrast to their aspirations.
Charlie, sensing the mood in the room, broke his silence. His voice was calm and steady, but carried the weight of experience.
"Right now, we're not qualified to fight alongside the legion," he said bluntly, addressing the group.
His words hung in the air for a moment, drawing the attention of the eager Marines.
Charlie continued, "It's not just about wanting it. Only veterans who've survived countless battles and proven themselves can be selected as auxiliaries for a legion. You've all seen the situation down there—this isn't something the Marines alone can handle."
His statement was sobering. The new recruits grew silent, their youthful bravado tempered by Charlie's words. Through the shared visual feeds, they stared at the fleet before them, still feeling the pull of ambition, but beginning to grasp the magnitude of the challenges that lay ahead.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere of reality setting in, a faint sense of relief washed over Narita, who sat quietly in a corner of the transport.
For her, the arrival of the fleet meant a brief reprieve from the constant tension that had gripped her since their mission began. As a member of the Losrian faction, Narita possessed an extraordinary level of perception and intuition, far beyond what most humans could comprehend. While she lacked the precognition abilities of the Elven Queen Tinas Losrian, her instincts had guided her well throughout her career.
From the moment they had been deployed to Quikonto, Narita had been plagued by a deep sense of unease, a gnawing intuition that they were walking into an unavoidable trap. Her fears had proven true, as the events of the past hours had unfolded with devastating consequences.
But now, with the arrival of the Raven Guard and their Astartes, Narita's anxiety began to subside. The presence of the Emperor's "chosen sons" filled her with a strange but comforting sense of security—like nothing, no matter how catastrophic, could truly threaten them.
Meanwhile, in a separate section of the Luna transport, Janes Thompson and Chris Redfield sat together, keeping a close eye on the communications feed. When an incoming transmission from the Raven Guard's 4th Company appeared on their helmet displays, both commanders reacted immediately.
Without hesitation, they opened the channel.
The real-time feed resolved into an imposing figure.
The man on-screen was fully clad in Terminator armor, a brutal and specialized variant of power armor. His figure was massive, his silhouette almost inhuman, and the armor's shark-like teeth decorations gave him an air of ferocity and menace. The intricate engravings on his pauldrons and chestplate exuded both craftsmanship and an oppressive sense of power.
The shark teeth motif was especially striking. It evoked an image of a predatory force that consumed its enemies without mercy, a visual representation of the reputation that preceded the Raven Guard's Shark Company.
Despite the sealed helmet obscuring his face, the Astartes radiated an unmistakable aura of authority. His very presence carried a weight that made both Janes and Chris sit up straighter in their seats.
For a moment, neither man spoke. They simply stared at the Astartes in silent contemplation, each wondering the same thing:
"Is this really an Astartes?"
Chris Redfield's gaze darkened slightly as he observed the armored figure.
As one of the Imperium's more seasoned officers, Chris had fought in countless battles, including early engagements with Warp entities under the Emperor's direct orders. He had witnessed the horrors of Chaos firsthand, as well as the terrifying powers of Warp corruption.
More recently, he had led operations against demonic forces in the Trench Crusade Universe (13), earning his promotion to Colonel in the process. Yet, looking at this Raven Guard Terminator's armor, Chris couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The dark, ominous design, coupled with the shark-like motifs, gave the armor a near-chaotic vibe. It exuded a primal savagery that reminded Chris of the fallen Astartes—those who had succumbed to Chaos and turned against the Imperium.
It was an irrational comparison, and Chris knew it. But the unnerving feeling lingered, refusing to be dismissed.
Before they could dwell further on their unease, the Astartes broke the silence.
His voice was deep and commanding, carrying the weight of a warrior who had seen countless battles and emerged victorious.
"Colonels," he began, his tone brooking no argument. "I am Tyberos, Captain of the Raven Guard's 4th Company, also known as the Shark Company."
The name alone sent a ripple of recognition through both Janes and Chris. The Shark Company was infamous for its expertise in close-quarters combat, as well as its unparalleled ability to exterminate xenos and traitors.
Tyberos continued, "We specialize in operations against xenos scum, human traitors, and other vermin. However, this is our first encounter with heretical threats of this nature. Colonel Redfield, I require your insight into combating such entities. Your experience will be invaluable in helping us better understand this enemy."
He paused briefly, then turned his attention to Janes.
"Colonel Thompson, once your forces have resupplied, you are to join Shark Company's auxiliary forces and assist with cleanup operations."
The Astartes Terminator's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. There was no room for debate; his words were a command, not a request.
Tyberos ended the transmission succinctly:
"Prepare yourselves. Tyberos out."
The channel closed with a sharp beep. The display went dark, leaving Janes and Chris staring at the empty screen.
For a moment, the two commanders sat in silence, their thoughts racing. They exchanged a glance, their mutual unease unspoken but clearly understood.
It wasn't just the nature of the enemy or the losses they had suffered—it was the presence of Tyberos and the Shark Company, and the dangerous, predatory aura that accompanied them.
Whatever came next, it would not be easy.
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