Chapter 171: The Disoriented Oathbreaker

The weaponized bombs known as Void Mines could be likened to simple naval mines—yet these mines could teleport.

Their structure was as basic as it was formidable: each a kilometer-wide cube, laden with incendiary payloads and utterly devoid of paint or embellishment, appearing almost like a giant child's toy. Despite its simple construction and modest cost, cheaper even than torpedoes, the Void Mine was designed to be cast widely and hit at least five percent of the time—a sufficient return for its purpose.

In the midst of the enemy fleet, a dozen vessels, mostly cruisers, became entangled with these unexpectedly teleported Void Mines. It seemed cruisers were targeted due to their larger hulls. Ships unfortunate enough to overlap with the mines found their hulls fused seamlessly with the Void Mine's structure, as if it had always been a natural extension of the vessel. Inside, people found themselves trapped within the mines; others were fused with the metal hull itself, while some subspace engines were split in two by the encroaching structure.

Crewmen rushed to assess the strange phenomenon, staring in shock at the misshapen hull now adorned with human limbs and objects melded into the metal. Attempts to dismantle this nightmare were stymied by the incomprehensible nature of the weapon.

Those warships still able to function either veered from the fleet or collided with other allied warbands, while disabled ships remained where they drifted, waiting for allies to distance themselves. Disorder spread through the fleet.

After ten minutes, the Void Mines detonated, obliterating seventeen ships in total. On the bridge, Grey and his crew watched the display on the holo-screen, a grim satisfaction growing despite the inefficiency compared to the main weapon arrays. The Void Mine was an odd prize, rewarding its users as if winning a lottery.

"Disregard the situation in the void," Grey reminded the officers, his gaze fixed on the planet labeled Forge World. "Our true objective lies on its surface."

The Celestial Engine continued its orbit, accelerating, the myriad mechanisms regulating the artificial celestial body ensuring no harm came to those within despite rapid movements and gravitational shifts. As the Engine passed Forge World on a parallel orbit, it slowed, creating a narrow window for the mass deployment of the ground forces.

Holo-images revealed each regiment's designated landing zones and strategic objectives.

"Prepare for battle," Grey commanded, donning his helm.

The other officers recorded the briefing, relaying it to their battalions.

***

Meanwhile, the fleet retreated.

Aboard the Conqueror, Solrax sat in silence on his throne, his gaze distant as he observed the shifting pools of brass-colored blood in the Blood Mirror, which flickered with star maps of the system. One drop of blood coalesced, suspending above the pool before sliding back, only to emerge and hover again. Its instability mirrored its struggle to track the presence that had invaded the system.

"Something interferes with the Blood Mirror," said the woman beside him, her white-clad form flashing beside the device as she examined it.

Her voice grew solemn as she continued, "Not just the Blood Mirror—our subspace drives are disrupted. Gravitational forces across the system appear amplified severalfold. In simpler terms, the Manderville Point has shifted farther from us."

Solrax, still silent, watched the device not for the alien construct but for Forge World, where the remnants of the Oathbreaker warband and his command squad remained. Though one officer, Shaloc, had vanished mysteriously a month prior, the remaining three still held their posts. Solrax cared little for the warbands or mortals who fought alongside them—they were beneath his concern.

"We must hasten our escape from this system," the woman reminded him.

At that moment, two weapon-laden satellites flashed brightly, illuminating the Conqueror's bridge in blazing light.

"Aren't you already retreating?" Solrax replied, aware that the order came not from him but from the woman who commanded the vessel's systems.

"But you were the one who ordered us to delay," she reminded him.

When the Celestial Engine first appeared, Solrax hadn't believed it capable of such terrifying attacks. Thinking it merely a transport, he had insisted on delaying long enough to retrieve his remaining soldiers. Consulting the woman for counsel, she had agreed: with such a vast construct, energy demands were a concern, and its weapon arrays might only manage limited volleys. Besides, the majority of ships were under other warbands' control, and it seemed wiser to attempt negotiation.

Reflecting on these decisions, she added, "Those Oathbreakers are still a part of your legion—at least, that's how I remembered it."

"How can it sustain such power?" the woman muttered, "Could they have embedded a star within that tiny planetoid? I've encountered similar constructs, but none with such a sustained energy source—it defies reason."

"If not for this infernal interference, I would have detected its power source, instead of fumbling in the dark."

"…"

"What is the state of the fleet?" Solrax inquired abruptly.

"Forty percent losses."

"I asked about the Oathbreaker ships specifically."

"I suggest you focus on the entire fleet's losses," she replied, "unless you wish to hear an answer that you'll struggle to accept."

Solrax fell silent, his intent crystallizing. The plan had failed.

To reunite the shattered legion, Solrax had poured his soul into this strategy. When Huron offered his support, Solrax had glimpsed hope, for Huron's assistance promised not only new ships but also a swifter campaign, an opportunity to conquer Forge World before being ensnared in a wider war.

Yet, while he brooded, the bridge shuddered.

"We've taken damage!" the woman's urgent tone cut through his thoughts. "Our starboard side has been hit!"

Solrax instantly understood: the Celestial Engine's second volley had torn through the fleet and, despite the Conqueror's head start, struck his vessel. The void shields overloaded, exposing the hull to enemy fire.

Solrax's silence deepened as he envisioned the unfolding chaos.

Finally reaching the Manderville Point, the Conqueror commenced its subspace journey, drifting into the Immaterium's twisted expanse. Shadows of unspeakable horrors loomed across the ship's bulkheads.

And through it all, Solrax remained in solemn, unyielding silence.