XXXVI

270.M35

Armageddon - Armageddon System

Segmentum Solar

It has been a year since Sebastian Thor called upon the people to rise against Vandire. At first, most Astartes Chapters ignored the conflict, seeing it as a matter for mortals. However, when Vandire's forces attacked Chapters operating in Segmentum Solar and he dissolved the High Lords after Gastaph Hediatrix, the Fabricator-General of the Adeptus Mechanicus, demanded his execution, many Astartes decided to join the crusade to bring him down.

Seeing the chaos done by Vandire, many of the Chapters, especially those he had attacked, declared their support for Thor and gathered at Fenris, the rally point for what became known as the Terran Crusade. Gastaph even called upon the Iron Hands and their successors for aid. Though only one Clan-company of Iron Hands responded, the Salamanders also joined after witnessing the devastation caused by the Frateris Templar across Segmentum Solar.

For a year, the Chapters pledged to the Crusade hunted down and destroyed Frateris Templar fleets as they made their way to Fenris. Some, driven by vengeance, acted on their own, launching attacks against the Templars and their supporters wherever they found them.

Once assembled at Fenris, the Crusade wasted no time. They immediately set course for the Sol System. The battles against the Frateris Templar were swift and decisive, as the Navis Imperialis refused to engage the Astartes, despite Vandire's direct orders to engage the Astarte. Instead, they arrived at the battlefields only to stand back and watch as the Templars were annihilated by the Astartes.

Just six months after departing Fenris, the Crusade reached Armageddon, one of the key gateways into the Sol System.

Two massive fleets loomed over Armageddon, their warships locked in a silent standoff. Between them, the cold void was littered with wreckage from countless destroyed vessels, all of them bearing the insignia of the Frateris Templar.

"Hmph, not even enough to warm me up for it." Harald said as he crossed his hand. He look toward the holo-display that currently showing multiple Astarte, one of them is Atharion.

"What do you expect of them?" Iron Captain of Iron Hands said with his mechanical voice. "They are weak, the only things that they have are the large numbers and their zealotry. Against the Emperor's true warriors, that means nothing." His mechanical voice carried a tone of absolute certainty, his augmetic eye glowing coldly as he looking at the wreckage.

Atharion, clad in his dark, ornate armor, observed the wreckage with a neutral expression. "Their numbers may be great, but without discipline and proper leadership, they were always doomed to fail." All the holo-display change as all of them display a direct route to Terra from Armageddon. "With this system clear, we have a direct route towards Vandire." He then looks towards the fleet that stopping in front of them. "And with Gastaph Hediatrix's help, we able to bypass the Mandeville Point and use the Elysian Gate to get into the Sol System without problem."

"Even without his helps, we still can enter the Sol System without problem." The High Marshall Sigenandus of Black Templars, the one in original timeline that launch the Terran Crusade, said. "With our might and the number of the Frateris Templar vessels we destroy, I doubt they still can muster another fleet to stop us."

Atharion sighed, giving Sigenandus a tired look. "With his help, we will suffer fewer losses when entering the Sol System. While we are here to restore stability to Terra and the Imperium, I see no reason to waste lives when we are not fighting xenos or traitors."

Many Chapter Masters and Captains nodded in agreement. They were warriors, built for war, but dying in battle against fellow Imperials instead of the true enemies of mankind was not what they desired.

As the Astartes continued their discussions, the Imperial Navy fleet slowly moved away from the Astartes fleet. Seeing this, the Chapter Masters and Captains gave the order for their own ships to advance toward the Mandeville Point.

With the coordinates and codes provided by Hediatrix, the entire Astartes fleet entered the Warp, making their final journey toward Terra.

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270.M35

Uranus - Sol System

After a two hours journey, the Astarte fleet enter the Sol System through the Elysian Gate. Their first sight was not the planet Uranus, near which the gate was located, but something far more imposing, the Phalanx, the massive fortress-monastery of the Imperial Fists, standing in front of them.

All the Chapter Masters and Captains are worries of why the Imperial Fists come here, do they decided to support Vandire even with the chaos and destruction he have inflicted on Imperium, or they decided to join them to overthrow Vandire. But, Atharion is not worry at all. After all, he knows that the Imperial Fists are part of the original Terran Crusade. Though he's not sure if the High Marshall convince them to join, or they willingly chose to join the Crusade.

A transmission request blinked across every vessel's display, originating from the Phalanx. The Astartes fleet immediately accepted, their hololiths flickering to life as the image of a towering Space Marine appeared.

Clad in the yellow armor of the Imperial Fists, his expression was like carved stone, unreadable yet commanding, like all the typical Sons of Dorn.

"I'm Chapter Master Lazerian." His voice steady and unwavering. "I know your purpose here, why you all come to Sol System." He paused, his expression unreadable as if deep in thought. "Vandire has brought destruction upon the Imperium, and he must be punished."

For a moment, the gathered Chapter Masters and Captains thought Lazerian would allow them to pass, perhaps even join them in their crusade. But then he continued.

"But no matter your purpose, I will not allow this many warships to approach Terra." He stated firmly. Then, without pause, he continued, "Each Chapter will choose one vessel from your fleet. That ship alone will be permitted to continue to Terra."

Murmurs spread among the gathered Chapter Masters and Captains. Many had expected resistance from Vandire's forces, but not restrictions from fellow Astartes.

Lazerian's gaze swept over them. "Terra has already suffered under Vandire's madness. I, as the Chapter Master of Imperial Fists, the Defenders of Terra will not allow an armada of this size to bring further destruction and chaos to Terra, even if your intentions are just."

The Chapter Masters and Captains did not like this restriction, but with Atharion's calm reasoning and the arrival of Hediatrix through hololith, they chose to trust their judgment.

Hediatrix, appearing on the hololith, spoke in his mechanical voice. "Lazerian speaks wisely. The people of Terra have suffered greatly under Vandire. If a massive fleet arrives in orbit, it may cause panic or give Vandire an excuse to turn the civilians against us. We must be careful."

Understanding what's it mean and trusting the words of Atharion and Hediatrix, all of them starting to choose their ship. Atharion choose the ship that he currently on, Eclipse Spear, another Oberon Class Battleship that have been refurnish to also function as normal Battle Barge. The flagship of Dark Knights, Eternal Vigilance is being retrofit on the shipyard of Anvilus Nine.

After couple of minutes, twelve ships move out of the formation, each ships represent one Chapter. The largest of them are the Eternal Crusade, the Gloriana Class Battleship and the fortress-monastery of the Black Templars.

As the twelve chosen ships moved closer to the Phalanx, the massive fortress slowly began to turn, its prow now facing Terra. The sight was awe-inspiring, a silent declaration that the Sons of Dorn were leading the way.

Aboard the Eclipse Spear, Atharion watched the movements unfold on the hololith. He glanced at the holo-display of the Chapter Masters and Captains. Though many still carried doubts, they had accepted the decision. Their fleets would remain behind, while they alone would press forward to confront Vandire.

Lazerian's voice came through the vox once more. "Follow the Phalanx's course. We will escort you to Terra. Once there, you will land at the Lion's Gate Spaceport and I will accompany all of you to the Ecclesiarchal Palace." He paused for a moment before continue. "But, if the Adeptus Custodes arrive and block the path...." He cut the connection without finishing the sentence, but everyone understood his meaning.

The journey to Terra and the march toward the Ecclesiarchal Palace were uneventful. The only changes were the addition of the Imperial Fists to their ranks and the presence of Skitarii forces from Mars, also marching towards the palace with them.

As they arrive and preparing to attack the Palace, the Custodes suddenly arrived at the command tent that Hediatrix have set up for the operation. Every Astarte are curious and worry of why the Custodes come. They had expected the Custodes to appear, especially with so many Space Marines gathered here. But there was also a lingering fear, what if the Custodians saw them as a threat? What if they stood in their way?

Only Atharion was not worried about the golden warriors at all. After all, the Custodes had been isolated within the Imperial Palace for centuries. They likely had no idea what was truly happening in the Imperium or even who Vandire was.

"Who among you speaks with authority?" The Custodian's voice was deep and commanding, but not hostile. "What is the meaning of this gathering? Who dares to march on Terra in such numbers?"

The Astartes glanced at each other before their eyes turned to Atharion, the first to support Sebastian Thor and the de facto leader of the alliance between the Dark Knights, Space Wolves, Fire Hawks, and Angels of Wrath. They also looked toward High Marshal Sigenandus, the Chapter Master of the Black Templars, who have brought a total of 1400 Astarte into this Crusade. The only reason they didn't look to the two First Founding Chapters, the Iron Hands and Salamanders, was because both had sent only small forces, one Clan-company from the Iron Hands and one company from the Salamanders.

Atharion and Sigenandus look at each other, seeing which of them should talk first. After a minute too long for the Custodian, Atharion turn towards the Golden warrior and speak first.

"I'm Atharion, Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Knights Chapter." Atharion said. "We come here is to punish Goge Vandire for the sins that he committed." The holo-display that previously showing the Palace changed to the personal information of Vandire and all the things that he have done during his reign.

Hearing what Atharion say and with all the information that being display, Atharion, using his psychic power can sense the shock that the Custodian feel even though he didn't show it at all.

As the Custodian reading and processing the information, Sigenandus crossed his arms. "The Imperium rots under Vandire's madness. We will not stand by while billions suffer. His rule must end."

Silence fell inside the tent for a few minutes. Everyone waited anxiously, unsure of how the Custodian would react after seeing all this information. The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes had remained isolated within the Imperial Palace for so long, not even appearing during the War of the Beast. No one know what they are thinking now.

Suddenly, the Custodian looks towards Atharion and Sigenandus. Seeing this, all people looks towards the Golden warrior, waiting for the answer that they have waited.

"By the permission of Captain-General Excelsor, you all will continue with what you have previouly plan." The Custodian said with a cold and even voice. Without waiting for any response, he turn and left the tent.

Seeing the Custodian leave, Atharion can see the confusion among the Astarte, even Hediatrix don't really understand what's going on. But, after a short period of confusion, all of them make preparation for the attack on the Palace.

After a quick discussion, they decided that the Black Templars, Imperial Fists, Iron Hands, Salamanders, and Soul Drinkers would lead the first wave. The Fire Hawks and Angels of Wrath would join as soon as a breach was made.

The Skitarii would support the Astartes, covering their rear, making sure the retreat route is secure. Hediatrix will also lead the Skitarii from the front, making sure the attack can progress efficiently.

Atharion will lead the second group if the first wave is bog down. The second wave is comprise of Dark Knights, Space Wolves, White Templars, Storm Wings and Emperor's Hands.

After a hour of preparation, with a chorus of "For the Emperor", the attacks on the Essicalry Palace begin.