Chapter 286: The Two Fleets

That evening, Dante and Mephiston gathered before the statue of Saint Gillies, sitting beside the table to map out their next moves.

"Our decapitation strike was highly effective."

"The swarm is beginning to fall into disarray."

Mephiston calmly recounted the latest developments. The death of the Swarm Lord had shifted the tide of battle, tilting the scales subtly but steadily toward humanity. While the area beyond the Angel Fortress still swarmed with creatures, they now wandered aimlessly, sometimes lashing out at nearby humans by instinct or even turning on each other.

Dante nodded thoughtfully. "We must swiftly execute the next phase and purge the fortress perimeter of these stragglers."

The situation was no longer as dire, though urgency still loomed. Neither the Chief Librarian nor the Pyromancer could predict how long this disordered state would last among the swarms. And regardless of their success on the ground, the bio-fleet hovering beyond their world remained a formidable threat. Mephiston's focus was on clearing the disrupted ground forces, but as Chapter Master, Dante had to contemplate the larger picture — specifically, the looming menace of the bio-ships.

He reached toward the holographic globe on the table, his fingers activating a vast network of dots across the planet's surface. Both men understood that these dots represented the scattered anti-orbital defense platforms.

Dante's intention was unmistakable: to activate these platforms to eliminate the bio-ships. Though their fleet was decimated and orbital control lost, their ground forces were not without options. These powerful anti-orbital installations served as their last ace.

"We have no idea how many of these devices the swarm has destroyed," Mephiston observed, gesturing to the orbital defense network. "As you know, the hive mind is cunning. They would have targeted these installations one by one."

"True, but I believe at least a few still stand," Dante replied.

Mephiston considered this. The platforms were not surface structures but deep underground, housed within fortified defensive bunkers. Given the swarm's relentless focus on the Angel Fortress, they may indeed have lacked the resources to eradicate every platform. Survivors might yet be holding those positions.

Then again, Mephiston mused… did the term "resources" even apply to the swarm? They could just as easily strike Bhaal with overwhelming numbers from all directions.

"Nevertheless, we must fight," Dante affirmed, his gaze unwavering. "It is our duty."

"Of course," Mephiston agreed.

The two continued their discussion until Mephiston suddenly raised his head, his eyes directed at the night sky. With one glance, he knew the hour. Without another word, he settled to the ground in meditation, reaching across space to commune with the Astropaths aboard Baal Secundus. Reports soon flowed in.

The swarm was behaving erratically.

The Blood Knight Chapter, however, was lost.

A pang of sorrow crossed Mephiston's features at this news. Strictly speaking, the Blood Knights had already been cast out as renegades, struggling under the twin curses of the Black Rage and the Red Thirst. They had committed grave transgressions and been exiled from the Imperium. Only a few remaining loyalists had been left on Bhaal, intended as seeds for the Chapter's rebirth. Yet in the fury of the decapitation strike, even these remnants had been lost.

Then, a spark of hope arrived with a message of salvation.

"We will triumph!" Mephiston exclaimed, a rare gleam of joy in his voice as he turned to Dante.

Dante looked back in surprise.

"A fleet is on its way to Bhaal," Mephiston announced.

…

One light-year from Bhaal, hundreds of ships were assembling, their ranks tight as they conducted final inspections of weaponry and crew in preparation for the coming battle.

Two fleets were united here. One was the Imperial Navy led by Admiral Quarren himself. The other was a Talorn fleet, commanded by Adam. The Imperial Navy ships were not Quarren's elite vessels but rather a patchwork fleet he had cobbled together through personal influence.

Quarren's concern was evident as he devised the most pessimistic plans within his heavy cruiser. Then, word came: the Talorn fleet had offered its aid. After rapid exchanges, the two fleets agreed to rendezvous at a point one light-year from Bhaal.

In a rare moment of formality, Quarren brought his officers to the bridge of the Talorn flagship, Talorn's Pride, for the two commanders' first face-to-face meeting. 

Standing within the bridge, Quarren had expected a grand sight, yet the chamber was stark, metal walls unadorned, save for a few tanks. As the cover of one tank lifted, a gush of nutrient fluid spilled onto the floor, disappearing into the grates below.

Then, Adam emerged, his eyes opening as an array of cables connected to the back of his skull extended like metallic limbs to lift him from the tank.

Quarren recalled the two had briefly met during the Shadow Sector campaign, though only through screens. Seeing Adam in person, floating within his tank like the rumored Titan pilots of old, was a shock.

"Who will command this battle?" Adam's blunt question cut through the silence.

Quarren was momentarily taken aback. Still, it was a pressing matter: facing a bio-fleet without unified command would surely lead to disaster.

After a pause, Quarren resolved to speak up, intending to take command himself without being too forthright. But Adam preempted him.

"You will command," Adam said simply.

Adam had given it considerable thought on the journey here. Recognizing Quarren's seasoned leadership and recalling their effective teamwork during the Shadow Sector, Adam knew this battle would require unity, not rivalry.

"…Very well," Quarren agreed at last, deeply impressed by Adam's practicality.

Adam returned to his tank as Quarren left the bridge, the brief, unceremonious meeting ending with swift purpose. The two fleets resumed their march, pressing on toward Bhaal.