readytorunbook #2120 - Savage Crucible
#2120 - Savage Crucible
Even if he wasn't a Techmarine, Azrael could tell from its appearance that this derelict ship was likely an amalgamation of dozens, even hundreds, of vessels, bizarrely fused together by the energies of the warp. Only the Emperor knew how many centuries this mutated wreck had drifted through the tides of the warp, but one thing was certain: this unholy entity of twisted metal, mutated daemon-growths, and various rocks was a formidable weapon even when immobile, and when it moved, it was a world-shattering force, dwarfing even the Indomitable Truth.
"Strange, why would Huron only bring something like this out now?"
Samuel, standing in the shadows behind Azrael, voiced his doubts, and Asmodai answered him.
"It suggests the heretic hasn't had it for long!"
Saphon nodded.
"That must be the case. Chapter Master Soshayn warned us earlier that the Red Corsairs might have a powerful derelict ship. I thought it would be a dead thing dragged by barges, but it turns out to be a 'living' derelict."
"It's large, it's strong, but it's very deformed."
Suddenly, Azrael slowly voiced his opinion.
"The power that created it is immense, but it resembles a Mechanicus designer who is trying to be all-encompassing. It gave this weapon a resilient body and hoped it would have as many types of weapons as possible to deal with most troubles. However, this also means it lacks a decisive weapon. Its independent combat ability is strong, but in a decisive battle, its firepower might not be stronger than a few battleships. Its firepower is distributed too evenly. Unless it's squeezed into the enemy ranks, most of its firepower cannot be brought to bear. That is its flaw."
As he spoke, Azrael reached out and drew an N-shaped line on the pict-screen.
"The enemy leads with the derelict ship, forming a V-shaped assault formation. We will form an N-shaped array around the Shattered Moon, maximizing our ability to evade the derelict ship's firepower. When the enemy advances deeper, the formation will transform into an M-shape. At that point, the derelict ship will face the Shattered Moon directly, and Chapter Master Soshayn has prepared a grand gift for the enemy on the Shattered Moon."
Saphon's eyes lit up.
"What is it?"
Azrael smiled slightly.
"Watch and see. You'll know when the time comes."
Soon, he suppressed his smile and turned to walk to the command throne.
"Issue the battle orders. All units and ships move to their respective positions according to the planned strategy."
Based on the results returned by a series of scanners, the vast array of cogitators calculated the enemy's general strength: 1 immensely large space derelict, 2 battleships, 1 battle barge, 15 large/heavy cruisers, 50-60 medium-sized warships, 100-120 small warships. Because the Red Corsairs' fleet was a very mixed bag, with many ships converted from civilian and merchant vessels, its strength was not greater, and perhaps even slightly weaker, than the Imperial fleet with 1 Gloriana-class battleship, 2 battleships, 1 battlecruiser, 7 battle barges, 23 strike cruisers, 21 heavy/large cruisers, 14 light cruisers, and 92 destroyers/frigates.
The only variable was that enormous space derelict.
Azrael's orders were transmitted via vox to every warship. Whether they were battle-hardened veterans or newly joined recruits, every battle-brother was fully armed and ready, and every war machine was fully activated, awaiting only a single command.
The captains received their instructions. The main force of the fleet dispersed into an N-shaped array in the form of several independent battle groups. The Shattered Moon would be the protruding part of the array, facing the enemy's assault directly, while the Dark Angels' fleet and the Indomitable Truth were its few escorts.
Soon, the enemy fleet appeared within visual range.
Under the command of the Supreme Grand Master, the fleet lit its signals, the engines roared amidst the prayers echoing through the engine rooms, void shields flickered, enveloping the ships, and battle cries spread through the channels.
For the Emperor, for Caliban, for the Lion!
The first wave of engagement came from the swarming squadrons.
On the Imperial side, the Dark Angels deployed over 100 Nephilim fighters and 150 Dark Talon fighters, along with 64 squadrons of mixed Thunderbolt, Lightning, and Fury fighters from the Imperial Navy, totaling over 1200 fighters, and 36 squadrons of Starhawk bombers, totaling over 500 bombers. On the Chaos side, there were also large groups of Chaos Heldrakes and Hellblade and Hell Talon fighters, many of which were newly manufactured.
The fighters of both sides engaged in fierce close-quarters combat in the cold, unforgiving void. Fighters were constantly being blasted into fragments or tumbling through the void due to damage, but there was no doubt that the Imperium had numerical and some qualitative advantages, while the daemon-bound Chaos fighters were equally fearless.
And as they circled and chased each other, staging spectacular dances of death, the massive warships were slowly advancing nearby.
The space derelict Savage Crucible dwarfed the ships escorting it. The Red Corsairs had adopted a very appropriate and standard V-shaped assault formation. The Savage Crucible was both the spearhead of the assault and a shield for the other warships, because no one wanted to take the first wave of attacks from the Imperial fleet. Now that there was such a large meat shield, they naturally wanted to stay as far away as possible, which was why they had to use the V-formation.
As the Savage Crucible gradually entered the firing range of the Imperial vanguard fleet, lance batteries, heavy cannons, and certain mysterious weapons awakened, and dazzling flares instantly illuminated the dark void.
The sight of the Gloriana-class battleship Queen of the Heavens opening fire sent shivers down the spines of even many Chaos Space Marines who had experienced the Horus Heresy, reminding them of some ancient battles they could not forget. It was absolute violence that could make the very fabric of space tremble.
No warship could withstand its might head-on—
But today, there was destined to be an exception.
The Savage Crucible bathed in profane light, with layers of shields stacked upon each other, slowing it down but preventing it from taking too much damage. Then it awakened, like an enraged beast, with every inch of its deformed hull firing a storm of missiles, rays, beams, and psychic projectiles.
In less than five minutes, the Savage Crucible destroyed a squadron of frigates belonging to the Disciples of Caliban and the Navy's Lunar-class cruiser Desolate.
At this point, it was less than 500 kilometers away from the Shattered Moon. This distance was very close for space combat, and the Dark Angels' fleet began to retreat, allowing the space derelict to bring only one side of its firepower to bear as much as possible.
Seeing the Imperial fleet retreat slightly, the Chaos fleet began to stir. They seemed to see a glimmer of victory.
Countless bizarre warships joined the Savage Crucible's assault, like a swarm of gretchin swarming around a warboss. The transition from cowardice to courage was instantaneous.
And the massive Shattered Moon had almost no weapons at this time. The few cannons that were present had almost no effect, and it was completely just an asteroid with no ability to resist. This made the attacking Red Corsair commander even more excited, because if he could destroy this thing, without a doubt he would be over-fulfilling the mission.
Of course, destroying this thing would not be easy. After all, it was a huge celestial body, so the best way was to seize it and use it against the Imperium!