Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

Necromunda Star System

Numerous voidships leapt into realspace like a school of predatory sharks. Around several capital ships clustered a swarm of smaller craft, frigates, scouts, liaison craft, and gun cutters.

In the center, the massive Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow loomed like a celestial leviathan. Patrol destroyers, repair ships, relay craft, and shuttles quickly dispersed around its colossal frame, moving across the ship's titanic body like plankton swimming alongside a whale's body.

A group of escort frigates from the Fourth Chapter surged forward, their hulls marked with the legion insignia on one side and skull motifs on the other. The machine spirits within yearned to hunt first. Behind them followed the Chapter's primary battleships.

The swarm of black ships spread out in an assault formation, their firing arcs overlapping to create a deadly net of firepower in every direction.

...

Bridge of the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow

Captain Diana Pauline had been given full authority over the space campaign around Necromunda. She turned toward Nareth.

"Lord Primarch, we are ready."

"Engage," Nareth ordered.

Diana turned her attention back to the command console. Every screen was alive with data feeds.

"Fire at will."

Her voice rang with command. Her eyes locked on the central screen, watching the Gloriana-class battleship's first offensive action.

A blinding flash erupted from the bow of the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow. Its lance battery struck a flaming enemy cruiser's engine core with surgical precision.

The target erupted in a catastrophic explosion, cascading in a chain reaction that tore the vessel apart.

The blast surged through its fuel compartments. The enemy ship, now a fiery wreck, tumbled uncontrollably through space.

Even for a veteran of dozens of fleet battles, Captain Diana clenched her fists in awe of the ship's overwhelming power.

A single volley from the light lance had torn apart an unshielded cruiser-class battleship.

"Recharge the lance!"

"Helm, come about, heading three-three-eight, slight forward tilt."

The starboard void engines flared, propelling the black behemoth into a smooth arc, positioning its broadside batteries toward incoming Araneus Continuity battleships.

"Target locked."

"Open fire."

The starboard guns roared as one. A dense storm of shells vomited into the void.

Enemy ships were decimated under the barrage, their destruction a chain of firestorms lighting the blackness.

"Enemy vessel destroyed!"

"Confirmed kill!"

…

The gunnery reports echoed with pride and joy. The ship's weaponry was as devastating as promised.

"New heading, one-four-two starboard, three-degree tilt."

Even as it maneuvered rapidly, the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow remained composed, the enemy fleet appearing like mere insects before it.

Incoming enemy fire was absorbed by flickering void shields, bright flashes dissolving harmlessly like moths to flame.

The macro-cannons fired again, transforming space around Necromunda into a fireworks display.

The Araneus Continuity's command ships, run by cybernetically-enhanced nobles, were quickly overwhelmed by loss reports.

Sensor readings shocked them. The enemy's firepower far surpassed their expectations.

Their fleet, once seen as formidable, now seemed like mere toys before the void-beast.

Some techno-nobles called for immediate retreat to rally at Necromunda's orbital defenses.

Others, trusting their own sensor data, declared the orbital defenses would be useless against the black giant. Their only hope was to use the gates to escape to nearby star systems, rally all forces, and launch a desperate counterattack.

Their fleet scattered like spiders slipping on a mirror.

Ships fleeing toward the orbital defenses were left alone.

But those rushing toward the warp gates ran headfirst into the Fourth Chapter's intercept group.

Diana's screens were filled with combat signals. The fleets painted a chaotic tapestry in the void, burning wrecks and molten hulls littered the battlefield.

Damaged black escorts, burning blue and white, arced between massive cruisers like firecrackers.

Larger frigates and destroyers, void shields flickering, smashed through the debris to charge into the heart of the enemy fleet.

Lance weapons spewed lethal beams. Broadside cannon filled the void with unrelenting firestorms.

Diana surveyed the situation and reported to Nareth:

"My lord, the battle is proceeding as predicted. Enemy fleets are held outside the blockade line. Capital ships are in position near all major warp gates."

"Currently, four capital ships have secured strategic points A, C, and D and are locked in position."

Upon arrival in the Necromunda system, the Forge Master of the Eleventh Chapter personally led scanning operations to locate all warp gates.

The Araneus Continuity had thirteen gates in the system, spread across five regions, forming a rough pentagram centered on the system's star.

Based on intelligence analysis and the "Seers" predictions of the Black Duke's Court, Nareth had accurately inferred that each gate led to a different star system.

Battleships of the Eleventh Chapter carried out the pre-planned assault flawlessly.

The other five Chapters progressed even faster; none of the other star systems had fleets as large or powerful as those near Necromunda.

As per Nareth's orders, each Chapter moved straight for the gates, cutting down all who stood in their way.

The Void Hunter, under Chapter Master Sanchez, struck with lethal precision.

The Relic-class battleship annihilated the fragile enemy fleets before they could even mount a counterattack.

Once each Chapter had secured their assigned gate, destroyers and escorts began hunting down fleeing enemy remnants.

The assault had gone so smoothly that the enemy never had time to activate Rosicky Czech's experimental gate-jamming devices installed aboard the vessels.

Back on the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow, Nareth lightly tapped his command throne.

"Proceed to the nearest unsecured zone."

"At once, my lord."

"Enginseer, set course for Strategic Point E. Full power."

Diana watched the ship's trajectory on a holographic projection, the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow carving through space like a blade through silk.

She calmly oversaw the full battle, her experience in large-scale engagements making this one feel almost routine, especially aboard such a powerful vessel.

Her blue-green eyes flicked across every fluctuating signal on her screens.

Suddenly, her pupils contracted.

She spotted a fleet maneuvering around the battlefield, emerging from an asteroid belt near the star, headed straight for Strategic Point B.

Her mind raced; there was no fleet in position to intercept them.

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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