In The World Of Sword And Magic As Space Marine - Chapter 144: Legiones Astartes Battlefleet: Blacksouls

“If one weapon could be said to exemplify the righteous fury of the God-Emperor’s wrath, it would be the Nova cannon.” By Captain Laurent Strophes, A retired Officer of the Imperial Navy who served with honor.

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Nove cannon is one of the most used weapon for the Imperium Navy since before Imperium was created. Equiped in front of the standard battleship, the cannon fires a warheads of various kinds including Grav shells which could create a minature black hole due to artifically created implosion from the warhead.

Even though it is a standard primary weapon of the Imperium Navy, the Nova cannon is inaccurate as requires stability of the vessel and several calculation from team of navy crewmen. Most likely, this weapon was used back in Dark Age of Technology with combination of AI to make fast calculator and functioning loading system for the ammunition to make up for the speed and accuracy. Now, Imperium have to use hundreds of men power to load and fire its weapon like back in mid-19th century to make up the limitation as technology is in heavy decline.

One thing is certain, Nove cannons aren’t used for the typical Exterminatus. Not all Imperium fleets can conduct everykinds of Exterminatus on the planet. This action requires a specific fleet equipped with right equipment to start bombing the planet such as use of virus bomb or planet breaking bombing.

There is no point of using virus bombing a planet if that world is Necron Tomb World, or use of orbital bombardment if targeting world is Water World where 97% of the plent is covered by the water.

If it is demanded by the higher up such as Inquisition or Chapter Master of the Astartes, the Imperium Navy fleet will conduct the orbital bombardment with everything they got including Nova cannon to wipe out the planet. This usually result in planet turning into ruins but not one hundred death of the planet as many of the enemies will survive through bunker or underground shelters. On the other hand, if the fleet is an crusade fleet, they are well supplied to purge all xenos or traitors with all kinds of ammunitions are available for the Imperium.

Noca connon is spear point of the Imperium Navy and utilised to fight against the enemy of the Emperor in void battle. It fires powerful warhead in fraction of the speed of light strong enough to break the enemy ship and could change the course of the battle or even the course of the entire war effort in one shot.

“The whole principle of naval fighting is to be free to go anywhere with every damned thing the Navy possesses.” By Grenfeld, Captain of the Hammer of Justice.

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3, 2, 1.

The world saw meteorite in white light tail flying above the sky. Few seconds later, sky turned white as light blinded every living thing and ground shook uncontrollably. There was no sound or concept of sound didn’t exist as everything simply went silent, for five seconds. Immediately, sound of massive explosion in unimaginable scale hit like a wave in every direction.

Clouds on the sky was no more as they are pushed away in all direction, leaving giant hole in the sky. Trees were kocked down flat like as if someone simply lay them down using a hand, all pointing outward. From this unnatural event, the planet is left with scar visible from the bird’s eye view as massive crater was created. No living things, undead or even supernatural beings are alive from the this impact as there was nothing but dust and fire.

[This is Chapter Master William. You may continue with advancement of the troops and elimination. Advise that there is flying debris and potential dust storm.]

William’s new order were received by all of his forces and followed according to their current situation.

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Lord Creed’s Astra Militarum forces managed to avoid major loss as their battlefield was far away from the impact of the Nove cannon. The only difficult thing they have to endure after everything cleared was the massive dust storm as it made difficult to see. Still, this sudden change of weather condition made flying much difficult as dragons couldn’t maintain their flight in the air.

This only made Lord Creed’s job much easier as Astra Militarum have long history of fighting in any condition including complete FUBAR situation (Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition). While enemy was incapable of seeing or able to fight, Lord Creed ordered his men to fall back from the frontlineand have all artillery bomb the hell out of last known location of the enemy forces.

The massive artillery fire continued for thirty minutes with no way of confirming if they are hitting the enemy or not. The Kreig artillery did increase their aim every ten minutes to maximise the effectiveness of the bomberment and enemy casualties. This was attack was also carried by the Titans as their long range weapons can hit just as far as the Kreig’s artillery, with help of the superior sensors to identity the largest enemy target.

The end result didn’t reveal until dust storm from the Nova cannon was cleared. Effectiveness of the massive long distance bombardment made huge change in the battlefield as majority of the dragon’s troops were taken out while they were confused. Half of the enemy forces were dead or nearly dead and giant red dragon in charge of the fight is heavily wounded due to combination of weapons fire and falling from the sky when Nove cannon hit its target in distance.

The frontline battle between Red Dragon and Lord Creed comes to near end as old man from the broken planet simply smiles as he drank cup of Amasec. Even though victory is near and certain, The Commander of the Astra Militarum gave new order to ensure that he is the one who place the final nail to the enemy coffin.

“All units, you may continue engage the enemy forces after Titans confirm the all frontline enemies are dead. Kill them all, let the Empeor sort them out.”

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Rana stand still while two of the Sisters of Battle dust her armor off mindfully while Rana stood with elegance. Rana’s forces were far away from where three armies were as their mission was to go around the ritual site.

To avoid any detection from the enemy partols, Rana ordered her Sisters to stay in stealth while taking out small scouts to maintain their presence hidden. This didn’t work as planned before but dead doesn’t speak which it still counts as stealth kill in certain point of view.

“I didn’t expected William to drop a massive bomb from the sky. That wasn’t part of the plan at all.” Rana said as her shoulder plate armor was dusted off by one of the Sisters.

“He may be Emperor’s chosen lineage but this is bit much even for him. What could be it that he need to order an orbital strike?” One of the senior Sister said outloud without thinking as she was also covered in dust. By the time she realized what she just said it was too late as Rana reply back.

“Don’t be concern with that, Sister. All that matter is that we are safe for now. I will have word with him when we are done.” Rana expressed her anger through the tone of the voice in which made two Sisters take step back. Bein upset, Rana light the area around her with growing golden light and steady blast of wind generate from where she stood, clearing the dust around her.

“By the Emperor’s light, Living Saint cleared the path for us!” One of the Sisters said with devotion as Rana’s small miracle clear the dust and who the path where they must continue their mission. Before that must be done, Rana once again have to make all of the Sisters to raise up from the knees as they start praying with both hands together as if second coming of the Emperor was in front of them.

‘I really need to take maternity leave after this is over.’ Rana than place one of her hand to her stomach as she begin to think of what could be happening in the possible future with child destined to be a rebirth of the Emperor of the Mankind.

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“My lord, the enemy forces are completely decimated with no trace, except massive crater where they used to be.” Said Captain Archilaus as he gave his report to William.

William already knew this as before he dropped the Nova cannon using his reward he forsaw the area effect including the damage area it could cover. The result of the one simple attack from the Nove cannon was devestating. The center of the drop zone is left with a massive hole in the middle and three armies completely gone from the existence.

From this massive kill, William received so much rewards that he forced himself to ignore the notification and focus his attention to the battle reports. With four enemy armies taken down and fifth occupied by Lord Creed’s forces, William believe that Dragon Cult have no one to send out to face his elite honour guards. Even if there is sixth, William will simply drop second and last Nove cannon if enemy army is big enough to hinder him from advencing or simply eliminate with overwhelming firepower of Astartes arsenal.

“I understand, Captain. Have the men check their equipements and push forward when ready. This could be our chance to make our final destination before enemy manages to recover. Initiate White Scar’s tactic if we have to make it there.” William gave his order and dismiss the Captain as he himself need to focus on data coming from the terminator command screen.

The massive information told William of Lord Creed’s situation while location of various Null Marines and Rana’s progress as all of them are advancing towards the center of the mountain. From his command screen, William saw all of his forces approaching the center of the mountain where Dragon Cult is conducting summoning situal.

‘This will be over soon. By the time everyone surround the mountain, the ritual will be done and before Tiamat realize what is happening, I will drop everything on top of that multi headed dragon into nothing.’ William said to himself and about to turn around when suddenly ground shook and sky turned to different color.

A color of crimson red covered the sky as if it was the beginning of the apocalypse. With ground once again shaking violently and even spliting away, a new data flow through the command screen and it wasn’t looking good.

The current situation wasn’t due from William’s Nove cannon but rather something much more supernatural and sinister. This was the final sign of summoning ritual and resurrection of the Dragon Queen, which was sooner than expected.

“The ritual is done? How did the cult managed to accelerate the ritual?” William said as he saw beam of red light dies in far distance. Replacing the light, something massive in size can be seen from far and movement. Suddenly, the roar of massive magnitude can be heard as for the second time that day, the New World shook literally and figuratively.

Tiamat, the Dragon Queen and Mother of all Evil Dragon once again walk the mortal realm as she made her entrance by stepping out from the hellish portal from the ground. With Timant unleashed to the world, her very presence made known even through the divine realm and nine layers of hell as demons and devils followed the Dragon Queen through the portal.

The final boss of the William’s quest revealed sooner than expected as William is now faced to deal with Tiamat before his plan can be completed. As if she knew her opponent is watching, Tiamat stretch her wings and all five heads up high, roaring the very heaven itself as if she is ready to shatter it to pieces.

“I have risen from the hell itself!”

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From defeating three different armies of the Dragon Cult:

[Legiones Astartes Battlefleet: Blacksouls: A Legiones Astartes fleet made for long distance travel and war as it requires. Using lost STC techolongy, the Battlefleet Blacksouls are self sufficient to make any repairs, gathering natural resources and creating any equipements during long travel without making a stop to the Imperium planet if it requires. As name of the reward stated, the battlefleet is Legiones Astartes Battlefleet, not Adeptus Astartes standard as it was considered lost during the age of Great Crusade, its purpose long forgotten. Now serving the Chapter Master of the Blacksouls with new purpose, the battlefleet have new mission and destination to carry the hammer of Emperor’s Warth. The fleet comes with their own crews and officers. As for the types of ships:

Battleship: Emperor Class x3, Retribution Class x 2 (Not including the one William have already), and Apocalypse Class x2. Total: 8 (including William’s first reward)

Space Marine Battle Barge x 5

Grand Cruiser: Avenger Class x5, Vengeance Class x5 and Blacksouls Strike Cruiser x5. Total: 15

Cruiser: Lunar Class x8, Dictator Class (Attack Craft Carrier) x6. Total: 14

Ark Mechanicus Class x1 (A Mechanicus ship with enough fire power to match other Battleship class).

Mechanicus Cruiser x2

Titan Barque x3: Starship design to transport and deploy a Titans.

Knight Transport x2

Total number of the Blacksouls Fleet: 50 ships.

Note: The fleet reward is updated just like the other units before. Certain ships including flag ship of the Blacksouls are equipped with current STC technology as not all ships can have it. The battlefleet have enough room to accommodate everyone including heavy vehicles from the Astra Militarum as well as supplies such as water, food and replacement parts.

The battlefleet comes with their own code of identification to prove their legitimacy to the current Imperium in which no authority will challenge it unless higher authority such as Inquisition or Warmaster (Lord Solar) demands it.

If needed, the authority from the Scroll of the Creation and Recognition of the Legion can be used to replace the current battlefleet code as it can overrule the authority. By using the scroll in question, the fleet itself will be recognized as part of the Space Marine Chapter and all final orders and chain of command will fall under to the Chapter Master.